State Minister Tuzmen Due To Syria On January 31

ANKARA - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen is getting prepared to visit Syria together with a group of businessmen on January 31.
Tuzmen will meet with high ranking government and state officials during his visit to Syria which will last till February 2. The businessmen will have the opportunity to meet with Syrian businessmen.
Economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Syria were in a very low level in the year 2000 because of Syria's relations with terrorist PKK organization.
Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting took place in the year 2000 after 12 years with this country. Also Turkish exports fair was held during the 4th term JEC meeting, which took place between May 8-12, 2000.
The 6th term JEC meeting with Syria is expected to take place in March this year.
It was reported that Turkey could be the main provider of Syria by making use of its geographical closeness.
Trade volume between Turkey and Syria was 279 million U.S. dollars in 1990, however this figure reached 619 million U.S. dollars in 1998, to 539 million U.S. dollars in 1999 and 724 million U.S. dollars in 2000.