EDIRNE - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha inaugurated Hamzabeyli-Lesovo border crossing today.
Erdogan said that this border crossing would further improve cultural and economic relations between the two countries, stressing, ``it will also contribute to good neighborly relations.``
Noting that Turkish minority in Bulgaria was playing a role of bridge between the two, Erdogan stated that they were pleased with efforts of Turkish minority.
Premier Erdogan remarked that the border crossing would ease mutual visits, stressing that it would also increase tourism activities between Turkey and Bulgaria.
Erdogan noted that Turkey`s foreign trade volume reached 160 billion USD at the end of 2004.
Noting that Turkish investments in Bulgaria increased to 300 million USD, he said that Bulgarian businessmen have started to invest in Turkey.
Erdogan stated, ``we hope that Bulgaria will be a full member of the European Union in 2007.``
Stressing that Bulgaria was a friend and partner of Turkey, Erdogan indicated that this border crossing would be a symbol of cooperation between the two countries.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha said that border crossings would contribute to further improvement of bilateral relations.
Saxe-Coburg-Gotha noted that exchange of goods between Turkey and Bulgaria had been 1.8 billion USD in 2004.