SOFIA - Turkey`s labor minister said on Sunday that studies were underway for the signing of a social security agreement with Bulgaria, as well as for the restitution of the social rights of Turkish-origin citizens in Bulgaria who were forced to migrate from this country.
Turkish Labor & Social Security Minister Faruk Celik attended a regional conference on the "development of human resources of Balkan countries" in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia.
"We would like these issues to be solved between Turkey and Bulgaria, which are two friendly and neighboring countries, without carrying the matter to an international platform," Celik told Turkish reporters, commenting on the restitution of the social rights of Turkish-origin citizens and the signing of a social security agreement.
He also said a social security agreement between the two countries would solve most of the problems.
Delivering a speech at the conference, Celik said Turkey carried out successful activities regarding social security, employment and labor force.
The Turkish labor minister also said that Turkey had a significant potential that would ease the qualified labor force problem in EU countries.
Turkey, Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo and Ukraine attended the regional conference on the development of human resources.
Participating countries released a joint statement after the conference, emphasizing the importance of developing joint strategies on the issue.
After the conference, Celik held talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Emilia Maslorova.
The two ministers decided during the meeting that a cooperation protocol on social security should be signed between Turkey and Bulgaria.
Celik is expected to return to Turkey on Monday morning.
(DO-MS)