Babacan: Turkish Companies Have Been Acting In The Balkans

ATHENS - State Minister Ali Babacan said on Friday that Turkish companies had been acting in the Balkans more actively.
Babacan, who is representing Turkey at the meeting of the World Economic Forum on ''Southeastern Europe'' in Greek capital Athens, held a press conference together with National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Khristodoulakis of Greece.
Noting that Turkey's reforms in the European Union (EU) membership process had facilitated Turkish companies' activities abroad, Babacan said that investments of Turkish companies in the sectors of service, transportation and construction in the Balkans had been increasing.
''If we assess EU membership process of Turkey and Greece as a great opportunity, we can set up an intense cooperation in the Balkans. Khristodoulakis will pay a visit to Ankara in June or July. During his visit to Turkey, we will take up bilateral relations and cooperation opportunities in the region,'' he said.
Babacan said, ''mutual investments between Turkey and Greece are far away from the desired level. The EU membership process is a great opportunity. We should improve our relations in international trade. Our government has the necessary determination to this end. We want to work with Greece in the third countries. Turkish companies have many investments especially in Bulgaria and Romania.''
The meeting of the World Economic Forum will end on Saturday.
Besides Babacan, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Reha Denemec and AK Party General Administrative Board member Cuneyt Zapsu are also attending the meeting.
Babacan is expected to return to Turkey on Sunday.
(UK-AÖ) 23.05.2003