The President highlights Bulgaria's willingness to bolster partnership in the energy sector and secure alternative energy supplies from Turkey in the event of a deepening conflict in Ukraine

 

In a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Head of State Rumen Radev called for concerted actions to salvage the Bulgarian and Turkish crews stranded in Ukrainian ports before a peace agreement is reached between the two warring parties. Currently, there are two stranded Bulgarian ships in Ukraine - the Rozhen, which is located in the port of Chernomorsk on the Black Sea, and the Tsarevna, in the port of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov.

 

Radev hailed the endeavour of the Republic of Turkey and President Erdogan to mediate a diplomatic solution to the military conflict in Ukraine. At the same time, it is still unclear when this conflict will end and timely efforts are needed to evacuate Bulgarian and Turkish seamen from the area of hostilities, the President said. 

 

Rumen Radev also highlighted Bulgaria's readiness for an active partnership in the energy sector and for securing alternative energy supplies from Turkey in the event of a spiralling military conflict in Ukraine.

 

The two expressed a common position that the bilateral trade of USD 6.5 billion did not reflect the capacity of the two countries and there was a great potential for fostering bilateral cooperation in the economy, mutual investments, energy and security.