Meeting On '2003: Turkey Year In Japan'

ANKARA - Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has said that declaration of 2003 as Turkey year in Japan was important for development of relations between the two countries, adding, ''we will do our best for utilization of this year.''
Gul attended on Thursday a meeting on ''2003: Turkey Year in Japan'' held at the Turkish-Japanese Foundation Culture Center to inform the press. State Minister Besir Atalay, Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis and Culture Minister Huseyin Celik were also in attendance at the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Gul said that Turkey and Japan were two important countries in Asia which had had relations since the 19th century. Noting that relations could not develop at desired level despite the importance that the two countries attributed to each other, Gul said that especially commercial relations were not at desired level.
Recalling that Japan had so far declared six countries as the country of year, Gul said that this number proved the importance that Japan attributed to Turkey.
Stating that a number of activities would be carried out throughout the year, Gul said, ''many works have been planned. As a result of these, I believe that a relationship in a further level would start. We will do our best.''
Stressing that total annual exports from Turkey to Japan was 120 million U.S. dollars which was not sufficient, Gul said that this year was important for development of bilateral commercial relations.