GAZIANTEP - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Tuesday that Turkey`s seizure rate, following measures taken by Turkish authorities especially in heroin trafficking, is higher than total seizure rates in whole Europe.
Speaking at a seminar on cooperation between Turkey and Iraq organized within the scope of the 2nd Iraq International Fair in southeastern city of Gaziantep, Tuzmen said Turkey quintuplicated its seizure rates in illegal products including drugs and fuel oil since 2003.
"Turkish customs hold the world record after impounding 535 kg of heroin in a single bust. Our authorities are working hard to prevent smuggling. Of course, Iraqi authorities should help us about that, and other countries too," he said.
Replying a question, Tuzmen said, "if we had opened a bank in Iraq in the past, we would have easier working opportunities now. However, we failed. Iraq needs infrastructure while we need raw material. Our target was a trade volume of 10-15 billion USD with Iraq. Unfortunately, we could not reach that target. But, we are determined to further increase the amount of our trade volume with Iraq."
Meanwhile, Iraqi Trade Minister Abd al-Falah al-Sudani said in his part that they aimed at doubling the trade volume between Turkey and Iraq, which is currently about 3 billion USD.
"There are more than 500 Turkish firms operating in Iraq. We adopt new laws to provide businessmen with several facilities," he added.
Housing & Construction Minister Bayan Dizayee of Iraq said that they expected international assistance to construct nearly 3 million dwellings in the country till 2010.
Oguz Celikkol, Turkey`s special envoy to Iraq, said that they were planning to open a consulate general in Basra.