Turkish PM vows to boost trade ties with Bulgaria

ANKARA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday voiced willingness to increase trade between Turkey and Bulgaria.

"We do not consider that figure a sufficient one. And we will exert efforts to improve that further," said Erdogan at a joint press conference with his visiting Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov after their talks in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

Erdogan said Bulgaria was the most important trade partner of Turkey in the Balkans, but there were some problems in trade of agricultural products, fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Turkish prime minister said Bulgaria had a large population of Turks who he said should act as a bridge between the two countries to further develop friendly relations.

"Turks in Bulgaria as citizens with equal rights are making important contributions to Bulgaria's stability, prosperity and development. Every step to be taken for Bulgaria's development will be important for the peace and prosperity of our kin there," Erdogan said.

For his part, Borissov said a gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Turkey would be a major achievement in relations between the two countries, adding that the natural gas grids of the two countries would be linked soon.

"This is a big success for our relations. And we hope to finalize the project before May," said Borissov.

The two prime ministers also signed a joint declaration expressing willingness to establish a High Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

Bulgarian prime minister's visit also saw the inking of a series of cooperation agreements between the two countries on areas that included media, defense, transportation, communication, culture, tourism and energy.