ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul left for Algeria on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Gul said, ''we will discuss bilateral relations on political, economic and cultural aspects. We will assess steps to further develop relations in our meetings with Algerian officials.''
''We will exchange views on recent developments in regional matters as well as cooperation opportunities in Algeria within the scope of Turkey's opening to Africa,'' said Gul.
''One of the most important dimension of these relations is economic and commercial cooperation. Commercial relations with Algeria developed after the agreement which was signed on purchase of natural gas and liquefied gas in 1996. Mutual trade volume between Turkey and Algeria exceeded 2 billion USD in 2004,'' noted Gul.
Gul said, ''Algeria is pursuing a large development activity, and many Turkish firms carry out important business in Algeria within that scope.''
''During my visit, Turkish-Algerian Businessmen Council meeting will be held, and businessmen of two countries will search ways of further increasing the cooperation,'' said Gul.
Stressing that Algeria is a member of the UN Security Council, Gul said, ''thus, it will be for the interest of Turkey to be in close cooperation with Algeria in international and regional issues.''