ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul left for Bahrain on Sunday upon formal invitation of Bahraini Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Muhammad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Gul said that businessmen, bureaucrats from Foreign Trade Undersecretariat and Foreign Ministry would accompany him during his visit, noting that he would have meetings with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and Finance Minister Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Hamad bin Abdallah Al Khalifa.
Recalling that Bahrain was one of important finance centers of the region, Gul noted that he would also meet Turkish businessmen and representatives of finance organizations during his visit to Bahrain.
Gul stressed that besides bilateral relations, regional issues would also be taken up during his talks.
Noting that there was not any problem between Turkey and Bahrain, he said that both countries had consensus on Iraq and the Middle East issues.
During Gul's visit, ''Economic Cooperation Frame Agreement'' will be signed between Turkey and Bahrain.
Also, a memorandum of understanding will be signed in order to provide Turkish and Bahraini citizens with several facilities in visa applications.
Gul added that they considered the frame agreement to be signed during his visit to this country a beginning for talks on free trade agreement.
2005-05-29