A delegation from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) met with senior officials from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, according to reports published by segabg.com, dnevnik.bg, dunavmost.com, and the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (bta.bg). The diplomatic outreach occurred in the middle of an active election campaign, though party press centers provided limited initial details regarding the specific objectives of the visit.
High-level meetings and parliamentary diplomacy in the Turkish capital
During the visit, the DPS delegation held a working meeting with Zafer Sırakaya, the AKP vice-chairman responsible for international relations, as reported by segabg.com and dnevnik.bg. Sırakaya previously met with representatives of the faction in March, shortly before parliamentary elections held on April 19, segabg.com noted. The Bulgarian politicians subsequently met with Numan Kurtulmuş, the speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, and Mustafa Yavuz, chairman of the parliament’s friendship group with Bulgaria, according to bta.bg and dunavmost.com.
Discussions centered on interparliamentary cooperation, economic ties, and investments, dunavmost.com reported. In statements provided to segabg.com and dnevnik.bg, DPS emphasized that special attention was given to the party’s role as a consistent factor in building and maintaining sustainable relations between Bulgaria and Turkey, describing long-standing political and social contacts as a stable foundation for expanding cooperation.
Extensive political and municipal representation in the visiting delegation
The delegation included a large contingent of high-ranking party figures and municipal leaders, according to dunavmost.com and bta.bg. The group was led by three deputy chairs of the movement: parliamentarian Halil Letifov, Kardzhali Mayor Erol Mümin, and Kaolinovo Mayor Nida Ahmedov, segabg.com reported. Other participants included Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Ayten Sabri, MP and Central Operational Bureau member Atidze Alieva-Velie, Dzhebel Mayor Nedzhmi Ali, Dulovo Mayor Nevhis Mustafa, and Momchilgrad Ilknur Kyazim, as detailed by dunavmost.com and bta.bg.
Unresolved electoral positioning and unanswered questions surrounding the ballot
While the movement registered to participate in the presidential elections using the argument that it has done so consistently since 1991, it ultimately neither nominated a candidate nor endorsed any of the contenders, segabg.com observed. This absence of an explicit endorsement has generated expectations that the party may declare its preference during a potential second round of voting, segabg.com added.
Frequently Asked Questions about the DPS visit to Ankara
Who participated in the meetings on behalf of the Turkish ruling party?
The DPS delegation met with Zafer Sırakaya, the AKP vice-chairman for international relations, Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, and Mustafa Yavuz, chairman of the Turkish-Bulgarian friendship group in the Grand National Assembly, according to segabg.com, dunavmost.com, and bta.bg.
Which municipal mayors traveled as part of the Bulgarian delegation?
The mayors who made the trip to Ankara include Erol Mümin of Kardzhali, Nida Ahmedov of Kaolinovo, Nedzhmi Ali of Dzhebel, Nevhis Mustafa of Dulovo, and Ilknur Kyazim of Momchilgrad, as reported by dunavmost.com and bta.bg.
What specific topics were addressed during the talks with Mustafa Yavuz?
Discussions focused on developing interparliamentary activities, exploring economic cooperation, attracting investments, and expanding contacts between local authorities and citizens of both countries, dunavmost.com stated.
The delegation’s return coincides with ongoing domestic political evaluations following the party’s decision not to back any candidate in the initial round of the presidential contest.
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