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Turkish president expects to boost ties with Saudi Arabia

www.chinaview.cn 2009-02-03 19:53:47

ANKARA, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Tuesday he hopes his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia will boost bilateral ties, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Turkey's relations with Saudi Arabia, based on mutual respect, dialogue, joint history and cultural values, have reached a pleasing level, Gul told reporters at Ankara's Esenboga International Airport prior to his departure for Riyadh.
The Turkish president said trade volume between the two countries currently exceeds 5.5 billion U.S. dollars, adding that the goal is to increase this figure to 10 billion dollars by 2010.
"Saudi Arabia is the biggest country in the Gulf region and it plans to make infrastructure investments worth 200 billion dollars by 2010. There could be many projects for Turkish businessmen, especially contractors, in Saudi Arabia," Gul said.
"I will also attend business forums in Riyadh and Jeddah (the western port city)," Gul said, noting that "we will hold discussions on cooperation in the defense sector with Saudi Arabia."
Gul also disclosed the two sides would "exchange views on the Middle East and Iraq following Israel's attacks on Gaza recently. We will go over what Turkey and Saudi Arabia can do for regional stability and peace."
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Gul will be accompanied by State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, Minister of National Defense Vecdi Gonul, Minister of Transportation Binali Yildirim and some businessmen.



Original Article: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/03/content_10758050.htm