Problems With Neighbors Solved Through Trade, Turkish Minister

BRUSSELS - Turkey`s State Minister said on Thursday that Turkey used trade as an instrument to solve its problems with neighboring countries.
During a dinner hosted in his honor by Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey (TUSKON) in the Belgian capital, Brussels, Tuzmen said Turkey got successful results from its trade improvement strategy which envisaged boosting commercial relations with neighboring countries.
"With the magical formula of strengthening trade, we have solved most of our problems with our neighbors. Trade is the best medicine," Tuzmen said.
He said Turkey`s exports to neighboring countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Russia grew 4-5 times during the last 5 years.
Turkey`s foreign trade volume would exceed 300 billion USD in 2008, he said.
Tuzmen also said that numerous multinational companies preferred Turkey as the regional center of their global structuring.
He said there were currently 17,000 foreign companies operating in Turkey.
(DO-BRC)