Plevneliev for Hurriyet: Turkey's success is important to us

Turkey may rely on Bulgaria as an EU member, the Bulgarian President assured and denied allegations that Turkey is following neo-Ottoman policies. Turkey's success is important to us. If the Turkish economy develops and the country becomes richer, the same process will occur in our country as well, President Rosen Plevneliev said in an interview for the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet. According to him, Turkey is making efforts to occupy a place at the crossroads of trade between Europe and Asia, which will be beneficial for Bulgaria, too. "One of my priorities, ever since taking this position, is the diversification of energy sources and energy efficiency. We are proud that the diversification of energy sources is already yielding its first results. The South Stream gas pipeline is of great importance both for us and for Europe. In the case of the South Stream gas pipeline, it is important that no diversification is sought in terms of suppliers, but diversification in terms of money for the supply in order to avoid shortages of natural gas, such as those Bulgaria had to suffer during the winter of 2008," said the President. According to him, Bulgaria's participation in the South Stream and Nabucco West projects includes no contradiction. The President rejected allegations that Turkey is pursuing neo-Ottoman policies: "What I'm sure of is that Turkey is working for its integration and has an ambitious modernisation programme. This is in the spirit of the words of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk: 'Modernise, open to the world, and do not just follow, but lead,' said Plevneliev. As to Schengen accession, Bulgaria has a specific position and is preparing to submit a number of good ideas on a European scale. Moreover, we understand you - and this is important not only for us, but also for Europe. Turkey may rely on Bulgaria as an EU member, which can work for European decision-making," the President said.

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