(Zaman) - Bulgaria hardened its visa procedures for Turkey after becoming a European Union member Jan. 1, 2007 and stopped giving transit visas at the border.
Visas must now be obtained at the Bulgarian consulates in Istanbul and Edirne and at the embassy in Ankara, reports Trend.
Bulgarian officials explain they have to comply with the EU visa regime and that Turkish officials had been informed of the policy six months ago.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said, "We have not been able to take relevant measures. We are in continuous talks with Bulgarian officials to rectify the trouble caused by the regulations."