ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Monday that Turkey was resolved to boost and diversify relations with Tunisia.
Babacan and Foreign Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah of Tunisia signed "Turkey-Tunisia 2008-2009 Action Plan", "Cooperation Protocol between the Archives", "Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Institutes" and "Cooperation Agreement on Visual, Audiovisual, and Written Communication".
"The agreements in question will definitely help establishment of a strong legal cooperation framework between the two parties," Babacan told a joint news conference prior to signing ceremony.
Referring to bilateral economic relations, Babacan said trade volume in 2007 exceeded 700 million USD, noting that, "we wish this figure to exceed one billion USD within a few years."
Babacan said Turkish and Tunisian businessmen would have a forum meeting on Tuesday in Istanbul, adding that "businessmen will discuss ways to boost reciprocal trade and investments".
Turkish Foreign Minister also said this was at the same time the first meeting of a permanent commission that was earlier decided to be established between the respective governments.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Abdallah said Turkish President Abdullah Gul had visited Tunisia in 2006, adding that tangible steps were taken and a solid momentum could be achieved after this visit.
Abdallah said Tunisian culture and transportation ministers and Parliament Speaker would visit Turkey next month.
(AY-ULG)