ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan said Thursday political relations between Turkey and Italy have been advancing on sound grounds.
Babacan delivered a keynote speech at the beginning of the Fourth Turkish-Italian Forum in Istanbul.
"Turkey and Italy are the two allied countries. The two nations share humane and democratic values," he stated.
"Sound political relations between the two countries also boost cultural and commercial relations. The number of Italian companies investing in Turkey has exceeded 450," Babacan said.
He stated that Turkey was located on the energy axis and played a key role in transportation of oil and natural gas to Europe and the world.
Babacan said Italy extended great support to Blue Stream natural gas pipeline project carrying Russian natural gas through Black Sea to Turkey. On the other hand, Caspian natural gas would be transported to Europe through Turkey-Greece-Italy natural gas interconnector, he said.
Turkish-Italian Forum would enhance the relationship between the two countries, Babacan added.