SHANGHAI - Justice and Development Party (AK Party) leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that China's giving the status of official tourism route to Turkey is an opportunity to develop economic and political relations between the two countries.
Addressing businessmen in the Turkish-Chinese Economy and Trade Seminar, Erdogan said that the Turkish people want to improve economic relations with China, expressing pleasure over China's becoming a member of the World Economic Organization.
Erdogan said that a common trade region can be set up with China, adding that the trade volume between the two countries last year was 869 million dollars and this has to increase. Erdogan asked Chinese businessmen to come to Turkey and to buy goods. Erdogan stressed that Turkey is the entrance door of the European market due to its geographical status, adding that Chinese businessmen can make investment in Turkey within the scope of transportation, telecommunication fields and Southeast European Project (GAP).
Erdogan said that China's taking Turkey to its official tourism route is an opportunity, adding that new business opportunities can come out during the infrastructure studies of China during the 2008 Olympic Games.
Meanwhile upon questions of reporters, State Minister Kursat Tuzmen said that he didn't use the word 'brave' for Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Erdogan and the accompanying delegation later visited City Planning Exhibition Centre.