Türkiye and Bulgaria seek stronger cooperation against organized crime

Türkiye and Bulgaria agreed Tuesday to strengthen cooperation in the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking and irregular migration, with the two countries also pledging closer coordination on security along their shared border.

Türkiye’s Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi met his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Demerdzhiev in Sofia, where the two ministers oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the law enforcement academies of the two countries.

The ministers later held a joint news conference.

Focus on cross-border crime

Çiftçi said the two neighboring countries need to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in combating cross-border criminal networks.

“We are not just neighbors. We are also two friends and allies in the same region,” he said.

He described the fight against cross-border crime as one of the main areas where greater cooperation is needed, noting that Türkiye is currently stepping up its fight against what he described as “next-generation” criminal organizations.

“These organizations have evolved into next-generation terrorist groups,” Çiftçi said.

Türkiye has intensified its crackdown on criminal gangs, including groups accused of exploiting minors and recruiting them to carry out crimes such as murder and extortion.

Çiftçi stressed that Türkiye does not view its security separately from that of neighboring countries and said close cooperation with Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry is important for maintaining peace and security in the region.

Extradition cooperation

Çiftçi highlighted progress in cooperation on extraditions between the two countries.

“Bulgaria has extradited 89 people wanted by our country. Discussions on the extradition of 19 people are ongoing,” he said, expressing confidence that Bulgaria would continue to provide the necessary assistance.

He added that Türkiye had extradited 24 people wanted by Bulgarian authorities.

Fight against drugs

The two ministers also discussed efforts to combat drug trafficking and distribution.

Çiftçi said cooperation in the fight against drugs was “extremely important” and welcomed Bulgaria’s support in combating both emerging forms of organized crime and drug trafficking.

“The steps we take in these areas will serve the interests of both countries,” he said, adding that security cooperation between Türkiye and Bulgaria was “not a matter of choice, but a necessity.”

Bulgaria highlights irregular migration and human trafficking

Demerdzhiev praised Türkiye’s efforts to combat irregular migration and described Çiftçi’s visit as an indication of the strong level of relations between the two neighboring countries.

He said bilateral ties were based on “partnership, mutual trust and mutual respect.”

According to Demerdzhiev, the ministers discussed a range of political and professional issues, with shared priorities including irregular migration, drug trafficking and distribution, human trafficking and smuggling.

They also agreed that crimes committed by young people required greater attention.

Cooperation against organized crime and illicit assets

Demerdzhiev said Bulgaria would “fight all forms of organized crime without compromise” and noted that the two sides discussed assets allegedly acquired through corrupt activities in Bulgaria and held in Türkiye and other countries.

He said Çiftçi had assured him that Türkiye would assist Bulgaria in combating such crimes.

The two countries also agreed to work together to identify and repatriate assets obtained through illegal means, Demerdzhiev said.

The ministers further discussed the security and management of their shared border and identified measures aimed at making border management more efficient.

Source:AA