ISTANBUL - Syrian President Bashar al-Asad departed from Turkey on Thursday.
Prior to his departure, Al-Asad told reporters that he had a very good day in Istanbul despite bad weather.
Al-Asad said that his visit to Turkey was beyond his expectations.
Syrian President Al-Asad had paid a three-day visit to Turkey as the official guest of President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
TUZMEN: SYRIAN PRESIDENT`S VISIT TO TURKEY HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL FOR TURKISH-SYRIAN RELATIONS
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said that Syrian President Bashar al-Asad`s visit to Turkey had been very beneficial for Turkish-Syrian relations.
Tuzmen told reporters that agreements on encouragement of investments, prevention of double taxation, cooperation in tourism, and legal and economic infrastructures had been completed.
Border trade centers and work on organic agriculture to be made in coming days would contribute to economies of both Syria and Turkey, Tuzmen said.
Tuzmen stated that all those initiatives would increase trade volume between two countries.
TUZMEN: THE SIDES HAVE REACHED A COMPROMISE ABOUT OPENING OF A SYRIAN CONSULATE IN GAZIANTEP
Tuzmen said, ``during the meetings of President Bashar Al-Asad of Syria in Turkey, the sides have reached a compromise about opening of a Syrian consulate in southeastern province of Gaziantep, and establishment of border trade centers.``
Releasing a written statement on Thursday, Tuzmen said, ``a new era has begun in bilateral relations between Turkey and Syria after the visit of Syrian President Al-Asad. Developing relations between the two countries will have positive impacts especially on border provinces like Gaziantep.``
``During the meetings of Syrian President Al-Asad in Turkey, the sides have reached a compromise about opening of a Syrian consulate in southeastern province of Gaziantep, and establishment of border trade centers. As a result, the visa problem of businessmen who have commercial ties with Syria, have been resolved. The opening of Syrian consulate will have a positive impact in commercial relations with Syria, and make a significant contribution to economy in Gaziantep and the other regional provinces,`` he said.
Referring to the plan of establishing border trade center between Turkey and Syria, Tuzmen said, ``these centers will be established in the provinces of Hatay, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Kilis. Goods to be chosen by Turkey and Syria will be put up for sale in these centers. Some of these goods will be exempted from tax.``
Reminding that Turkey`s exports to Syria increased by 70 percent in 2003, Tuzmen said that trade volume between the two countries would further rise after establishment of border trade centers.
TUZMEN: THE SIDES HAVE REACHED A CONSENSUS OF OPINION ABOUT PURIFICATION OF FIELDS IN BORDER REGION BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA FROM LAND-MINES
Tuzmen said, ``Turkish and Syrian sides have reached a consensus of opinion about purification of the fields in the border region between Turkey and Syria from land-mines and use them for organic agriculture.``
``During the visit of Syrian President Al-Asad, some concrete developments were recorded. One of them is the free trade agreement while the other is establishment of border trade centers. The sides have reached compromise on these issues,`` he stressed.
Tuzmen noted, ``the sides have also reached a consensus of opinion on a third important issue. The fields in border region between Turkey and Syria will be purified from land-mines and used for organic agreement. We hope that this project could turn into a free trade region project in the coming years.``
Reminding that three agreements were signed between Turkey and Syria yesterday about mutual encouragement and protection of investments, prevention of double taxation and co-operation in tourism, Tuzmen added, ``these agreements will accelerate economic and legal platform between the two countries. They will also provide Turkish and Syrian businessmen with many facilities.``
(UK-AÖ) 08.01.2004