REPORT: BULGARIA, TURKEY TO ESTABLISH STRATEGIC COOPERATION COUNCIL
Today’s Zaman
March 22 2010
Turkey
Bulgaria and Turkey have agreed to establish a high-level strategic
cooperation council similar to those Ankara has formed with Iraq and
Syria, news reports said.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s announcement came while speaking
with a group of journalists late on Friday on board a plane en route
from Plovdiv to Turkey as he wrapped up an official visit to Bulgaria.
Turkey has also offered to establish similar mechanisms with Greece
and Russia.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Bulgarian media, Davutoglu once more
disputed suggestions that he is a promoter of "Neo-Ottomanism." "As you
probably know, the foreign policy of Turkey is based on the principle
of ‘zero problems’ with its neighbors. To a great extent this policy
of regional cooperation, peace and prosperity is pursued on the Balkan
Peninsula and has been very fruitful, particularly when it comes to
Bulgaria. Of course, the shared cultural values and common historical
interests of the two countries are a catalyst in this process. The
alliance of civilizations is another initiative of Turkey aimed
at securing peace and wellbeing in the world. In accordance with
the key principle of ‘Peace in the Motherland, peace in the world’
formulated by the great Turkish leader [Mustafa] Kemal Ataturk, the
initiatives I mentioned are not aimed at achieving superiority either
in the region or in the world. Our objectives are peace, cooperation
and prosperity for all countries," he said.
Days after this visit, the Bulgarian parliament is expected to vote
on a resolution recognizing the World War I-era killings of Anatolian
Armenians as genocide, news reports said, noting that the vote was
likely to take place this week.