We have very close and good relations with Bulgaria. Our kinsmen in
Bulgaria enrich our relations. As neighbors, friends and allies, Turkey and
Bulgaria pay attention to the principle of non-intervention in internal
affairs of each other.
On the other hand it is only natural that, the Foreign Ministers of the two
countries have a constructive and friendly dialogue and consultation with
each other on many issues. In this context, it is observed that the
statements of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey in a recent speech
in which he referred to an earlier phone conversation with the Bulgarian
Foreign Minister on the amendments to the Law on Religious Denominations
passed in Bulgarian Parliament and on international norms, were
misinterpreted and distorted in the Bulgarian press by mistranslation. It
is considered that some ill-intentioned circles resorted to this approach
with a view to damaging the Turkish-Bulgarian friendship. However, our
friendship with Bulgaria, which rests on solid foundations, will not be
damaged by such actions.