IZMIR - Russian Acting Ambassador to Turkey Nikolai Fomin said on Tuesday that Russia was ready to cooperate with Turkey in transportation, natural gas, water and chemical industry.
Fomin paid a visit to Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO) Chairman Ekrem Demirtas.
Speaking at the meeting, Fomin said, ''we observed that Aegean Region and Izmir have recorded great development in trade and industry. There are many projects for joint investments between Turkey and Russia. Important economic decisions can be taken at the meeting to be held in Russia in October with the participation of Turkish and Russian businessmen. For instance, we can develop joint investments in natural gas sector. We are ready to cooperate with Turkey in transportation, natural gas, water and chemical industry.''
Meanwhile, Demirtas said in his part, ''Russia is the most powerful and biggest neighbor of Turkey. It is an influential country both in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Russia produces more oil than Saudi Arabia. It is also rich of natural gas. We have to further improve our bilateral relations with Russia. More than 50 percent of leather products exported to Russia is being produced in Izmir. Also, joint investment is a very important issue both for Turkey and Russia and for their neighbors.''
Later, Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Momir Tosic of Bosnia-Herzegovina and accompanying delegation visited Demirtas.
Speaking at the meeting, Tosic said, ''there have been good political and cultural relations between Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, we have to further improve our economic cooperation. We expect to hold talks with Turkish businessmen in our stand in the International Izmir Fair. We want to invite members of IZTO and Aegean businessmen to Turkish Export Products Fair to be held in Sarajevo between September 9 and 12, 2003.''
Recalling that 48 Turkish firms had been acting in Sarajevo, Demirtas said, ''the trade volume between Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina was 50 million U.S. dollars last year. This amount does not reflect real potential of our countries. We want to further improve our economic and commercial relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina.''
(UK) 26.08.2003