29 October 2007
Turkish businesses interested in cooperation with Belarus, ambassador says

Turkish businesses are interested in cooperation with Belarus, Emine Birnur Fertekligil, the outgoing ambassador of Turkey to Belarus, said in an interview with BelaPAN.

“With regard to this, Turkey is expecting to receive the support and assistance of the relevant Belarusian authorities to the eventual numerous projects the two sides can realize together,” the diplomat said.

The ambassador noted that Turkey would continue developing trade and economic cooperation with Belarus, adding that bilateral trade had more than doubled in the last three years.

Ms. Fertekligil expressed a high opinion of relations between Belarus and Turkey in the sphere of tourism, saying that over 95,000 Belarusian tourists had visited Turkey earlier this year and the number of Turkish tourists spending holidays in Belarus also was on the rise.

According to the ambassador, Turkey was the first country to recognize Belarus’ independence and open its embassy in Minsk. “Our bilateral relations have been developing pragmatically on the basis of mutual benefit and in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue. We consider our relations as important also from the point of view of maintaining peace, stability, security and prosperity in our whole region. We are pleased by the fact that our cooperation has been developing in a friendly and constructive atmosphere,” she stressed.

The diplomat noted that accession to the European Union was “one of the fundamental priorities of the Turkish foreign policy.” “While concentrating our efforts on this main goal and harmonizing ourselves with the EU policies in line with the accession process, we shall sincerely do our best to preserve and further develop the existing friendship and cooperation between our peoples. Turkey, in every field, is ready to share its own experience and to furnish whatever assistance for Belarus for an increasing dialogue and integration with international community,” she said.

Turkey observes its main national holiday, Republic Day, on October 29.