Bulgaria’s national news agency opens office in Turkish capital

By Sumeyye Dilara Dincer, Muhammet Tarhan and Mustafa Deveci

ANKARA (AA) - Bulgaria's national news service, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), opened an office in the Turkish capital Ankara late Thursday.

The opening ceremony was attended by Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, Bulgarian Ambassador to Türkiye Anguel Hristov Tcholakov, Anadolu Agency Director General Serdar Karagoz and deputy directors-general Yusuf Ozhan and Oguz Enis Peru.

Speaking at the event, Iotova said BTA maintains and strengthens ties between countries and people.

He underlined that there has been a major breakthrough in the relations between Bulgaria and Türkiye in recent years, and "the new office here will always seek real news and real commentary."

Tcholakov, for his part, said they wish BTA's Ankara press club would turn into a place where Bulgaria is promoted, especially in the fields of tourism, investments and culture.

Karagoz said the two countries are close not only geographically, but culturally and socially as well, and have strong historical ties.

He underlined that the BTA office in Ankara has paved the way for political rapprochement between Türkiye and Bulgaria.

"On this occasion, the societies of the two countries have the opportunity to get to know each other better, and to learn about the recent events through the most accurate channel," Karagoz said.

Valchev said "BTA is not only returning to Ankara, it is also expanding its presence in Türkiye with the national press club."

The agency plans to open such press clubs in all neighboring nations and countries with a large Bulgarian community, he added.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz