ANKARA, 16 April (BelTA) – An official meeting ceremony between Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place in Ankara, BelTA has learned.
The heads of state are holding one-on-one talks at the White Palace, the official residence of the President of Turkey. Later on the presidents will be joined by members of the representative delegations. Aleksandr Lukashenko and Recep Tayyip Erdogan are discussing the development of bilateral relations with emphasis on trade and economic cooperation.
It is expected that special attention will be given to the way of leveling the bilateral trade. Last year the Belarusian-Turkish trade reached almost $1 billion with Belarus running a deficit. Therefore, the parties are discussing measures to help reverse the situation such as increasing deliveries of Belarusian automotive and chemical goods, wood products, food.
The parties are discussing the possibility of setting up companies both in Belarus and Turkey. An MTZ assembly plant is being developed at the Kirrikale industrial zone located 80km away from Ankara. Belarus is also interested in setting up companies to assemble Gomselmash and Amkodor machinery.
The two leaders are also set to talk over cooperation in investment, transport, logistics and banking sectors.
The welcome ceremony for the Belarusian president began with official events. The motorcade of the Belarusian leader was welcomed by 40 cavalrymen who accompanied him to the main gate.
Aleksandr Lukashenko and Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on the grounds of the White Palace. During the ceremony the orchestra played the national anthems of Belarus and Turkey.