DAMASCUS/ANKARA - Turkish Industry and Trade Minister Ali Coskun returned to Turkey on Monday after a successful two-day visit to Syria.
Accompanied by a delegation of 45 members, Coskun met with Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Utri as well as ministers of transportation, economy, petroleum, mineral resources, and public works and settlement.
''For many years, relations with Syria were not at a satisfactory level. The visit by the Syrian President to Turkey last year had positive and good impact,'' stated Coskun.
''Diplomatic ties between our countries are strengthened by our businessmen,'' remarked Coskun. Coskun added that ''the economies of Turkey and Syria have a good potential for unification and integration. Raising our trade volume to 3 billion U.S. dollars from a present 800 million U.S. dollars is possible.''
According to Coskun, ''there exist problems between the two countries in the areas of land and railway transportation and banking services.'' ''However, Turkey and Syria are trying to overcome the obstacles in these sectors,'' reminded Coskun.
While the issue of water did not come up in the meetings, willing to utilize Turkish experience in the construction of new factories in Syria was expressed. ''We plan to assist Syria in all service sectors, including tourism and agriculture,'' told Coskun.
Based on the Joint Economy Commission Protocol signed between the two countries, an action plan will be prepared. The action plan will be mastered by a six-member committee comprising experts from the two countries. ''We will evaluate incentives for mutual investments and build a dam on the Asi river,'' said Coskun.
''Furthermore, we are going to form a partnership to improve Syrian railways and will construct a ready-cement factory in Syrian town of Tartus,'' expressed Coskun.
The meetings also referred to the amount of fee collected from Turkish trucks crossing into Syria. ''Syrian authorities will re-consider the fees collected from Turkish drivers,'' informed Coskun.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Syria in December. A ''Free Trade Agreement'' between the two countries is envisaged to be signed during Erdogan's visit.
(ES-MS) 25.10.2004