TBILISI - Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Wednesday projects in southern Caucasus will have important contributions to economic development and prosperity of regional countries.
Speaking at Turkey-Georgia Business Forum in Tbilisi, Gul said ground-breaking ceremony of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway project was held on Wednesday, and thanks to this project trains which depart from China will be able to reach Europe by travelling over three countries.
Gul said free trade agreement which was signed between Turkey and Georgia will encourage businessmen in the region more.
On the other hand, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said BTK railway project will prepare a good future for next generations.
Turkey is the biggest trade partner of Georgia, Saakashvili said and added that while Russia is closing its borders to Georgia, Turkey lifts visa procedures, opens borders and eliminates obstacles.
Meanwhile, Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said foreign trade volume between Georgia and Turkey was 750 million USD in 2006, adding that this figure will climb to 850 million USD by the end of 2007.
Tuzmen said free trade agreement as well as agreement on prevention of double taxation which were signed between Turkey and Georgia have initiated a new period in bilateral commercial and economic relations.