Post by depletedreasons on Dec 31, 2007 4:52:33 GMT -5
Bulgaria Supports Turkey’s EU Membership Strongly
Thursday , 27 December 2007
Bulgarian Ambassador to Ankara Mr. Branimir Mladenov visited ISRO. During the meeting academics and researches of ISRO and of other institutions discussed the issues related with the relations between Bulgaria and Turkey and Turkey’s membership process to the European Union.
First of all, Mladenov stressed that the relations between two countries are very good; excellent relations improved very rapidly. Bulgaria and Turkey are not only neighbouring countries but also are allies in NATO, partners in the framework of the European Union. Relations growth in line with pragmatic European-type of relations. Since the regional stability is very important, and those countries have good relations, there have been and continue to be high-level visits. During the 1990s term confidence-building measures was dominant however this term passed, there is no need for confidence-building measures regarding to the already existing confidence.
As for trade, foreign trade volume of Turkey and Bulgaria exceed $ 3 billion in 2006, and is estimated to reach $ 4 billion in 2007. The development of economic relations can be understood more clearly with the comparison of $ 600 million when the agreement came in force in 1998. Trade volume was expected to be $ 1 billion however; Turkey is now number one foreign trade partner in Bulgaria with the $ 4 billion.
Cultural relations are also in very high level, it is hard to follow up visits and cooperations between two countries. It is also possible to talk about new spirit within the cultural relation between Turkey and Bulgaria.
There is also cooperation on energy, this cooperation is significantly important especially regarding to diversification of the energy resources.
When it comes to the Turkey’s membership process to the European Union, Bulgarian Ambassador to Ankara H.E. Mr. Branimir Mladenov stressed that firstly when we talk about bilateral relations of Bulgaria and Turkey it is necessary to talk about Turkey’s candidacy to EU. Bulgaria is strongly supportive of the European integration of Turkey. Negotiations with Turkey are open-ended but final goal is full-membership and this has not been changed. Even though some problems exist time to time between Turkey and EU, the essence of negotiations still continues. Two sides will decide on the duration of the negotiations but as mentioned before the final goal is full-membership. During this process candidates including Bulgaria had to take some painful decisions. Bulgaria did also experience this, regarding to closing down nuclear plants according to European Union demand. Much opposition have take place within public opinion but in the end closing down nuclear plants was right decision to do in terms of European Union membership.
Mr. Mladenov evaluated Bulgaria’s one year as a member of European Union, and stated that there is no disappointment within Bulgarian public opinion. Different from other newly member countries, expectations are high and public opinion is very optimistic. Foreign investments are increasing. There is no unemployment in Bulgaria, however Bulgaria needs qualified person. Tourism sector has been developed significantly in the past 10 years however qualified staff is still demanded from the overseas.
As for education, it can be said that a big number of Turkish students are educated in the Bulgarian universities. One of the most important reasons is the opportunity to take the courses in English and also reasonable tuition fees. There are also Bulgarian students taking education in the Turkish universities in Turkey.
Bulgaria has the major Muslim population within the Europe with more than %10 of the Muslims in the Bulgaria. However, eventhough Islam has been connected with the extremism in the West, Bulgarian case is definitely on contrary of that claim. While there is no extremism in Bulgaria and also there is no serious problems between different religions.
Habibe KADER, JTW
www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=51179
Thursday , 27 December 2007
Bulgarian Ambassador to Ankara Mr. Branimir Mladenov visited ISRO. During the meeting academics and researches of ISRO and of other institutions discussed the issues related with the relations between Bulgaria and Turkey and Turkey’s membership process to the European Union.
First of all, Mladenov stressed that the relations between two countries are very good; excellent relations improved very rapidly. Bulgaria and Turkey are not only neighbouring countries but also are allies in NATO, partners in the framework of the European Union. Relations growth in line with pragmatic European-type of relations. Since the regional stability is very important, and those countries have good relations, there have been and continue to be high-level visits. During the 1990s term confidence-building measures was dominant however this term passed, there is no need for confidence-building measures regarding to the already existing confidence.
As for trade, foreign trade volume of Turkey and Bulgaria exceed $ 3 billion in 2006, and is estimated to reach $ 4 billion in 2007. The development of economic relations can be understood more clearly with the comparison of $ 600 million when the agreement came in force in 1998. Trade volume was expected to be $ 1 billion however; Turkey is now number one foreign trade partner in Bulgaria with the $ 4 billion.
Cultural relations are also in very high level, it is hard to follow up visits and cooperations between two countries. It is also possible to talk about new spirit within the cultural relation between Turkey and Bulgaria.
There is also cooperation on energy, this cooperation is significantly important especially regarding to diversification of the energy resources.
When it comes to the Turkey’s membership process to the European Union, Bulgarian Ambassador to Ankara H.E. Mr. Branimir Mladenov stressed that firstly when we talk about bilateral relations of Bulgaria and Turkey it is necessary to talk about Turkey’s candidacy to EU. Bulgaria is strongly supportive of the European integration of Turkey. Negotiations with Turkey are open-ended but final goal is full-membership and this has not been changed. Even though some problems exist time to time between Turkey and EU, the essence of negotiations still continues. Two sides will decide on the duration of the negotiations but as mentioned before the final goal is full-membership. During this process candidates including Bulgaria had to take some painful decisions. Bulgaria did also experience this, regarding to closing down nuclear plants according to European Union demand. Much opposition have take place within public opinion but in the end closing down nuclear plants was right decision to do in terms of European Union membership.
Mr. Mladenov evaluated Bulgaria’s one year as a member of European Union, and stated that there is no disappointment within Bulgarian public opinion. Different from other newly member countries, expectations are high and public opinion is very optimistic. Foreign investments are increasing. There is no unemployment in Bulgaria, however Bulgaria needs qualified person. Tourism sector has been developed significantly in the past 10 years however qualified staff is still demanded from the overseas.
As for education, it can be said that a big number of Turkish students are educated in the Bulgarian universities. One of the most important reasons is the opportunity to take the courses in English and also reasonable tuition fees. There are also Bulgarian students taking education in the Turkish universities in Turkey.
Bulgaria has the major Muslim population within the Europe with more than %10 of the Muslims in the Bulgaria. However, eventhough Islam has been connected with the extremism in the West, Bulgarian case is definitely on contrary of that claim. While there is no extremism in Bulgaria and also there is no serious problems between different religions.
Habibe KADER, JTW
www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=51179