ISTANBUL, Jan 25 (A.A) - Turkey and Romania signed 15th term Tourism Joint Commission Meeting Protocol at Istanbul's Ceylan Hotel on Friday.
Tourism Minister Mustafa Tasar and his Romanian counterpart Matei-Agathon Dan signed the protocol on behalf of their countries. Speaking at the signature ceremony, Tasar said Turkey attributed great importance to using tourism as a means to advance social and cultural relations with Romania.
''Our countries are at a privileged position with the touristic and cultural elements they possess in the international arena. Therefore we should develop adopt similar attitudes and develop joint projects for the third countries,'' Tasar said.
Tourism relations between Romania and Turkey also continue in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. He said the two counstries should cooperate in alternative tourism types such as thermal springs, ski centers and valley tourism.
Romanian Tourism Minister Matei-Agathon Dan said Turkey and his country had very special relations. ''Turkey helped us at every platform. Turks like us and always want to have good relations with us,'' he said.
He said that for the first time they formed a study group from tourism investors. ''As I told to Mr. Tasar, we should lock them in a room, and should not let them go out until they form a real investment project,'' he joked.
Dan defined Turkey as his ''second homeland'' and said this was his 20th visit to Turkey. He also invited Tasar to his country.