Events

ISTANBUL, 1 November (BelTA) – Belarus and Turkey are interested in developing and strengthening relations in every field and sector, Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei told a press conference following his talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, BelTA has learnt.

“We are happy that our Turkish counterparts and partners are interested in developing and strengthening Belarusian-Turkish relations in every field and sector. Belarus is also very much interested in this cooperation. We have agreed that the government bodies of the two countries would provide all possible assistance and support to businessmen who establish direct trade and economic contacts,” Vladimir Makei said. He stressed that the Government of Belarus would provide maximum assistance and all necessary conditions for it.

According to the minister, Ankara hosted the 8th meeting of the Belarusian-Turkish joint intergovernmental economic commission. The parties worked out a roadmap of the Belarusian-Turkish cooperation which, according to the Belarusian Foreign Minister, would be focused on strengthening of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic and investment areas, industrial cooperation, transportation, agriculture, energy, as well as seeking out new forms and areas of cooperation. “The protocol of the previous meeting was implemented in full, and I am convinced that the protocol we have signed today will be fulfilled as well, since Belarus and Turkey view each other as reliable partners,” he said.

In turn, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu stressed that the two ministers agreed to continue mutually beneficial cooperation and implement various projects. The minister is convinced that the trade between Belarus and Turkey should be increased to $1 billion. Turkey is also an important partner in investment cooperation which has a huge untapped potential and should be further developed, he believes.

“Our countries have always enjoyed good friendly relations, and we hope they will continue strengthening and expanding. The parties will create all necessary conditions for trade and economic relations as well as for successful work of Turkish and Belarusian companies in the two countries,” Ahmet Davutoglu noted.