(DIP) TURKISH MINISTER TUZMEN URGES BULGARIAN AUTHORITIES TO EASE VISA AND TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS.

SOFIA, Apr 15, 2009 (TUR) -- Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen who is visiting Bulgaria with a large delegation of businessmen, said Bulgaria ought to solve problems stemming from its visa and transportation regulations, in order to enhance relations.

Speaking at the Turkey-Bulgaria Economic Cooperation Seminar Wednesday, Tuzmen said that Bulgaria set forth difficulties regarding permits of Turkish lorry trucks and brought restrictions over the tax-free oil provided for trucks.

"These issues cause disturbance in the Turkish side. Turkish Transportation sector has influence on the government. They demand that under the reciprocity principle the government takes similar measures against Bulgaria. But restrictions over the trade will be very harmful. We want to increase our investments in Bulgaria, and enhance our commercial and economic relations with this country. To this end, we ask Bulgaria to remove all barriers," said Tuzmen.

He said Turkey wanted to increase its investments in Bulgaria from 700 million to 1 billion USD by 2010, and increase the trade volume to 6 billion USD in three years.

Also speaking during the seminar Bulgaria's Energy and Economy Minister Petar Dimitrov said Turkey was one of their most important partners in the areas of energy, trade and international politics, noting that despite the global crisis, the trade volume between the two countries did not contract seriously.

"We want to build pipelines and an LNG terminal in Turkey. We want Turkey to enable gas transportation to Bulgaria. Pipeline between Turkey-Greece-Italy should also pass through Bulgaria. We can build joint gas storage facilities," said Dimitrov.

Dimitrov who said that important energy projects like Nabucco and south stream, amounting up to 12 billion Euro would soon be underway and invited Turkish businessmen to partake in these investments.

Dimitrov said the parliament was working to provide conveniences regarding the 180 day residence requirement for businessmen who apply for visa and the regulation obliging businessmen employing foreign workers to employ at least 10 Bulgarian citizens.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)