Tackling migratory pressures is a shared commitment of both countries and is a key to tackling illegal migration and human trafficking. Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev and the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye Süleyman Soylu united around this position during their meeting in Ankara. They highlighted the good professional contacts between the law enforcement institutions of Bulgaria and Turkey, which foster the development of bilateral relations.
Future joint actions to combat illegal migration and human trafficking across the common border of the two countries were also discussed. "We should focus our efforts on more decisive and timely actions in solving these problems, as well as actively countering drug distribution and financial crimes, including money laundering and virtual crimes," Soylu said. He expressed his appreciation for the activity of Ivan Geshev to continue the bilateral dialogue.
Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev emphasized that the protection of the external European borders requires even closer cooperation with the strategic partners of the European Union, which is undoubtedly Türkiye, as well as targeted actions to reveal the organizers of the illegal migration channels. Ivan Geshev emphasized that the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office has focused its efforts in preventing these crimes. The Bulgarian Prosecutor General drew attention to the worrying trend of increasing migration pressure on the country, which has also led to several fatal incidents with the death of Bulgarian policemen.
Geshev once again emphasized the commitment of the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office for proactive joint actions with the participation of the Bulgarian security services in the fight against illegal migration.
The Head of the Counter-Terrorism Department and General Commander of the Gendarmerie, the Head of the Turkish national police and the Head of the Migration Department also took part in the meeting of the Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev with the Minister of Interior of Türkiye.
Within the framework of the visit to Ankara, the Prosecutor General also met with Zekeriya Birkan, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Türkiye. "There is a long-term cooperation between Bulgaria and Türkiye, including in justice," said Birkan. He emphasized that one of the priorities of his institution is maintaining close and fruitful contacts with the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office in line with the criminal prosecution of persons who have committed crimes of a cross-border nature, as well as the fight against terrorism.
From his side Ivan Geshev noted that between the institutions of Bulgaria and Türkiye friendly relations have been built due to mutual trust and professionalism. It was emphasized that the successes achieved so far are a good basis for building on this cooperation, which is in the interest of combating crime.
Earlier, during the visit to the Republic of Türkiye, the Bulgarian Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev hаd talks with the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal Mehmet Akarca and the Republican Prosecutor General Bekir Şahin.