Sofia, 24 April 1997 (RFE/RL) -- Our correspondent in Sofia says Turkey's Defense Minister Turhan Tayan today pledged Ankara's full support for Bulgaria's bid to join NATO.
Tayan made the comment in a meeting with Bulgaria's caretaker Defense Minister, Georgi Ananiev. Tayan says Ankara will offer food, medicine and medical equipment to the Bulgarian military as a sign of good will. He also announced the Turkish government's decision to supply 30,000 tons of wheat to Bulgaria as humanitarian aid.
Our correspondent in Tirana says Tayan returned to Turkey immediately after his meeting with Ananiev this morning.