TURKISH MINISTER VIEWS GROWTH IN FOREIGN TRADE WITH NEIGHBOURS

Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
June 21 2007

Mersin, 21 June: Share of neighbouring and surrounding countries
in Turkey’s foreign trade rose from 3 per cent to 30 per cent in
the last four years, State Minister Kursad Tuzmen told Anatolia in
southern city of Mersin on Thursday [21 June].

"Turkey’s trade volume with Bulgaria, which was 300m US dollars rose
to 3bn US dollars (during Justice and Development (AK) Party rule).

Also trade volume with Greece increased from 180m US dollars to 2bn
US dollars. Trade volume with Romania exceeded 5bn US dollars, while
we have 25bn US dollars of volume with Russia. Turkey’s trade volume
with Iran is 7.7bn US dollars, with Syria – 1bn US dollars and with
Iraq – 3bn US dollars," noted Tuzmen.

Noting that commercial and investment relations with Turkish republics
increased significantly, Tuzmen also said that relations with Armenia
are in suspension. He added that Turkey is expecting a sincere
initiative from Armenia.