ANKARA - Turkey-Tunisia Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting started in Ankara on Tuesday.
Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister and JEC Co-Chairman Erkan Mumcu told reporters, ''we would like to fold up trade volume between two countries three times within two years with the Free Trade Agreement.''
Mumcu also said Turkey wants to attend Information Summit which will be held in Tunisia in November.
''We plan to organize a Conference for Trade Ministers of African Countries by the end of 2005. We expect participation of Tunisian officials to the summit,'' he added.
Mumcu said, ''opportunities which Free Trade Agreement presents will strengthen our relations with Tunisia. Cooperation in trade with African countries will be for the interest of two countries. Rapid development of transportation and logistic facilities will have a vital role in regional relations of Turkey and Tunisia. There is a big potential in increasing joint investments and cooperation between firms of two countries in maritime, agriculture, fishery, contractor and consultancy areas.''
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abdelbaki Hermassi of Tunisia said, ''Turkey is on the top of our cooperation list. Trade volume between two countries is not sufficient. We want to increase the trade volume to 1 billion U.S. dollars.''
Hermassi called Turkish entrepreneurs to make cooperation and joint investment with Tunisian businessmen.