Turkish premier meets Bulgaria counterpart, Qatari emir

By Sinan Uslu

MUNICH (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldirim on Friday held meetings with his Bulgarian counterpart and Qatari emir on the sidelines of a major security conference in German city of Munich, according to a Turkish Prime Ministry source.

During the meeting with Boyko Borisov, whose country also holds the term presidency of the EU, the constructive contribution of Bulgaria to Turkey’s accession process to the EU was highlighted, a source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Turkey-EU relations, bilateral ties as well as current issues were discussed between the two sides, the source said.

Both prime ministers were pleased with the pace in relations based on mutual interests.

Bilateral relations and regional developments also topped the agenda during the meeting between Yildirim and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the source said.

It added that enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries was also discussed.

Also, Turkey reiterated its determination to work with Qatar to ease effects of economic sanctions against it.

The conflict in Syria, refugee crisis and the EU's role in the future are major topics at the 54th Munich Security Conference, which began on Friday.

Yildirim is among key speakers of the three-day conference; he is expected to address senior global figures on Syria, Turkey’s ongoing counterterrorism operations and other developments in the region.