ISTANBUL - ''You can not attract domestic and international investors to a region where acts of terrorism are taking place,'' said Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen today. ''I invite all to act with responsibility.''
Tuzmen returned from the United States to Turkey this morning.
Speaking to reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Tuzmen noted that his visit to the United States was organized to research markets. ''We wish to increase the current trade volume between Turkey and U.S. to 30 billion USD in 2010,'' stressed Tuzmen. Turkey's current trade volume with the U.S. is about 10 billion USD.
The states of California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York and Texas have been chosen as targets for Turkish exporters and investors, commented Tuzmen.
Referring to the recent incidents in south-east Turkey, Tuzmen expressed that such incidents could be prevented with significant economic development in the region. ''The businessmen of the region have taken important steps with their counterparts in neighboring countries,'' underlined Tuzmen.
The economic development will eradicate such violence, added Tuzmen.