site.btaBulgarian PM Says Partnership with Turkiye Extremely Important for Establishing Peace

On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told Anadolu Agency that the cooperation with Turkiye is of strategic importance for the region. In his words, the world is eager for peace, and for Bulgaria the partnership with Turkiye is extremely important for establishing peace, the Turkish national news agency quoted his as saying.

Zhelyazkov noted that both countries are engaged in diplomatic initiatives related to the Middle East. Therefore, he believes that Bulgaria and Turkiye are a very good example of how partnerships between neighbouring countries can facilitate and promote the peace process in the world.

Regarding the discussions with the EU about a "two-speed" Europe, Zhelyazkov said that the initiative is largely misunderstood and refers mainly to capital market integration rather than political divisions within the EU. He explained that countries ready to participate in simplifying and enlarging capital markets could move ahead, while others could join later. He stressed that participation depends on readiness, not differences between Member States, adding that the approach "is a very particular issue that would not bother the European integrity and the European Union at home."

Regarding the Middle East, Zhelyazkov stated that Bulgaria maintains relations with both Israel and Palestine and believes balanced engagement can help ease tensions. "Both states are very important to ... mitigate all hostile narratives that exist because we need to establish peace and to promote the peace," he said, as quoted by Anadolu Agency.