TOKYO - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that although there were not any problems in political field between Turkey and Japan, relations in economical field was not on desired level, adding that Turkey wanted to make progress in this field.
Gul, who arrived in Tokyo as the guest of Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, told A.A that Japan had a seal on technology, especially information technology, and finance, but the share Turkey took from this potential was on minimum level.
Gul said that Japan announced 2003 as Turkish year and Turkish government reserved five million dollars from promotion fund and started cultural and promotional activities in Japan. He added that nearly 150 cultural activities were fulfilled. Gul said, ''these are very important investments and will certainly have recompense. In the beginning, we hope that the number of Japanese tourists will increase.'' He added that they made Turkey attractive for foreign investment with the legal arrangements they have fulfilled and he would explain this to Japanese businessmen during his visit.
Recalling that Japan reserved billions of dollars of source for reconstruction of Iraq, Gul said, ''Iraq is certainly very far away from them. They are looking for a partner which knows the region well and with which they can work together. We will talk about this issue and try to convince them that Turkey will be the best partner.''
Gul said that Turkey had advantages in Central Asia, Caucasia and Balkans, adding that they would search for the ways of making business with Japans in those places.
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(GC-AÖ) 16.12.2003