ANKARA - Israeli First Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday that in case Turkey and Israel did good business, it would make direct effect on peace and stability in the Middle East.
Taking the floor at the opening of Turkish-Israeli Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting, Olmert said Turkey was an important power in the region with respect to democracy and economy. Olmert also said they attributed importance to doing business with Turkey.
Stressing that they were sensitive toward their national policies, Olmert said they were aware that this sensitivity was expressed in statements made by the Turkish administrators. He said framework of economic relations were examined carefully in this respect.
Mentioning the trade volume between the two countries, Olmert said Free Trade Agreement signed between Turkey and Israel in 1997 facilitated increase of trade between the two countries.
Olmert said the Turkish side targeted trade volume between the two countries as two billion U.S. dollars, stressing that the trade volume was in favor of Turkey. Olmert pointed out that trade volume could be increased to five billion U.S. dollars within a few years.
Israeli minister said eight percent of Israeli population visited Turkey every year as tourists, stating that this was because Israeli citizens felt themselves at their homes in Turkey.
Olmert said Turkish companies' doing business in Israel was important and noted that they would be in an effort to create the fastest investment atmosphere for the Turkish companies.
Olmert said he would meet Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul today, and that he would convey the documents on this issue to Gul.
Olmert said some projects within the scope of southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) were important for them.
Stating that there was opportunity for joint business, Olmert said they wished the Turkish side to prepare necessary basis regarding the agreements particularly on energy.
There could be cooperation between the two countries in technology, telecommunication, agriculture, and infrastructure, said Olmert said.
(AY-AÖ) 14.07.2004