ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Argentine Minister of Foreign Relations, International Trade & Worship Rafael Bielsa, who is currently in Ankara on an official visit, signed three agreements between Turkey and Argentina on Monday.
Following their tete-a-tete talks and meetings between Turkish and Argentine delegations, Gul and Bielsa signed agreements envisaging cooperation between the two countries in ''Cultural Exchange'', ''Protection of Plants'' and ''Veterinary Medicine''.
Holding a news conference after the signing ceremony, Gul said that Turkey was determined to further improve its bilateral relations with Argentina.
Recalling that Argentina was a member of the Latin American Common Market (Mercosur), Gul told reporters that Turkey aimed to sign a free trade agreement with the Mercosur.
Noting that the Cyprus issue was also discussed at the meeting, Gul said, ''I informed Mr. Bielsa on the process. Argentina is acting as a member of the United Nations Security Council for the period of 2005-2006, and has 1,000 soldiers in the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus.''
Meanwhile, Bielsa acknowledged Turkey's thesis about the Cyprus to be right, stressing that they would do everything in their power to lead the United Nations Security Council to take action.
Noting that they were planning to set up strategic partnership relations with Turkey, Bielsa said that they wanted to pave the way for direct trade between Turkey and Argentina.
Following the news conference, Bielsa was received by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.