Podsjećajući da je Turska podržala prijem svoje sjeverne susjede u NATO 2004. godine, on je izjavio kako očekuje recipročnu podršku Sofije kandidaturi svoje zemlje za pridruživanje Uniji, u skladu s principima solidarnosti u okviru euroatlantske zajednice.
Recalling that Turkey backed its northern neighbour's admission into NATO in 2004, he said he expected reciprocal support from Sofia for his country's bid to join the Union, in line with the principles of solidarity within the Euro-Atlantic community.