ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul went to Poland on Sunday for a two-day official visit.
Gul, who will pay a visit to Poland as the guest of his Polish counterpart Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz, told reporters prior to his departure that his visit to Poland was important since it was the first official visit paid by Turkish official to that country after long years.
Foreign Minister Gul said that Turkey and Poland, two friendly countries having historical relationship, did not have any political problems.
Gul stressed that Turkish-Polish relations were very well.
However, there was need to further improve economic and commercial relations, Gul stated.
Gul noted that many Turkish businessmen and giant companies were having business deals in Poland.
There were around five thousand Turks in Polish capital Warsaw, Gul pointed out.
Gul said that Turkey and Poland, who had historical and cultural heritage, had many similar characteristics.
Poland was a NATO member and would be a European Union (EU) full member in May, Gul emphasized.
Gul said that Turkey and Poland had close relationship under both umbrellas.
Stressing that his visit would help further improvement of political and commercial relations between two countries, Gul expressed belief that his visit would therefore be fruitful.
(BRC-AÖ) 09.02.2004