Turkey, Bulgaria sign cross border cooperation agreement

State Planning Institute (SPI) Undersecretary Ahmet Tiktik, who spoke at the signing ceremony, said Cross Border Cooperation Program, which would at the first stage prepare a basis for cooperation in local places, covered the years 2004-2006. Tiktik said they expected a more comprehensive cooperation after 2006 depending on the increase of EU support.

Bulgarian Regional Development Deputy Minister Hasan Hasan said Bulgaria, with the financial support provided from the EU, aimed at improving cross border cooperation to speed up economic development of border regions of the two countries.

Simon Mordue, the representative of European Commission Financial Affairs, said the program primarily aimed at renewing cross border basis, protecting environment and strengthening economic and cultural ties.