Turkey, Bulgaria two close friends, Turkish President says

ISTANBUL (A.A) - July 11, 2011 - The Turkish president said on Sunday that Turkey and Bulgaria were two countries bound with close friendship and neighborhood ties in the Balkans.
Speaking to reporters prior to his departure for Bulgaria from Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said, "Turkey and Bulgaria are two countries which are connected with ties of friendship, neighborhood and alliance in an important region like the Balkans, moreover, their commercial and economic relations improve with each passing day and they have similar approaches in foreign policy".
Gul said that the two countries also had key roles in the improvement of regional stability and solidarity in the Balkans and the Black Sea Basin.   
Describing Bulgaria as one of Turkey's biggest trade partners in the region, Gul said the trade volume between the countries had reached 2.4 billion EUR in 2010, moreover, the worth of Turkish investments in Bulgaria amounted to nearly 2 billion USD.
Commenting on his visit, Gul said he would hold talks with a number of high-level Bulgarian officials including President George Parvanov, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Parliament Speaker Tsetska Tsaceva, moreover, he would address businessmen at Turkey-Bulgaria Business Forum. 
Gul noted that he would also get together with the Turkish community in Shumen province.
After the press conference, Gul travelled to the Bulgarian capital of Sofia.
A crowded delegation of parliamentarians, bureaucrats, academicians and journalists are accompanying Gul during his visit to Bulgaria.