ANKARA - Austrian President Heinz Fischer said on Tuesday that his country had always been a fair and predictable partner in Turkey's EU path.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul hosted a banquet in honor of guest President at Cankaya Presidential Palace.
Fischer said that nearly 180,000 citizens of Turkish origin contributed to cultural diversity and commercial success of Austria. He added that 480,000 Austrians spent their holiday in Turkey in 2007.
Fischer said that trade volume between Turkey and Austria grew over 10 percent in recent years, adding that the trade volume was over two billion USD in 2007.
He said that an Austrian-Turkish Joint Commercial Commission meeting was held today, and a protocol was signed on various commercial cooperation areas.
Fischer said that Turkey fulfilled many important reforms in the past six years. He added that Turkey was an active country in dialogue between cultures and civilizations which was very important for Austria.
Fischer said that energy policy was getting more important within the scope of international relations, and he expressed hope that talks on Nabucco pipeline project --a joint project-- would be completed soon.
Fischer and accompanying delegation will hold talks in central Anatolian province of Kayseri on Wednesday.
(GC)