Tuzmen: We Will Go To Iraq To Benefit From U.N. Oil For Food Programme

ISTANBUL - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Thursday that they would go to Iraq to benefit from United Nations (U.N.) oil for food programme.
Responding to questions of reporters, Tuzmen said that his visit to Iraq was a routine one and that this visit was a continuation of the former ones.
Tuzmen noted, ''we will go to Iraq tomorrow to benefit from U.N. oil for food programme. We will do our best to increase Turkey's export potential. Trade delegations had earlier went to Syria, Iran, Greece, Russia and United Arab Emirates. We will be accompanied by a trade delegation during our visit to Iraq. This visit is a routine effort in order to take a share in the new tender to take place as a part of the U.N. oil for food programme and to increase our exports.''
They had always stressed that Turkey's trade with its neighbours was very important, Tuzmen stated.
Tuzmen said, ''the share of our trade with neighbours in our total trade volume is fairly low. We want to increase the current share around 5-7 percent to 30 percent. We have to make use of the potential in our neighbours.''
There would be 350 people in the delegation, Tuzmen pointed out.
Tuzmen said that they got the consent of the U.N. for their visit to Iraq.
Responding to a question about the military base demand of Britain, Tuzmen said that political statements were made by relevant authorities and his responsibility was foreign trade, customs and Eximbank.
Tuzmen added, ''I deal with the ways to increase our exports to Britain. This is my responsibility.''