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Turkey-Greek islands economy summit focuses on collaboration

13 March 2010
Some 225 Turkish businessmen gathered in Athens for the 9th Turkish Aegean Coast-Greek Aegean Islands Economic Summit on Tuesday in an effort to support Greece through its economic crisis.


ATHENS- In his opening remarks at the 9th Turkish Aegean Coast-Greek Aegean Islands Economic Summit in Athens, Turkish Foreign Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan said: "The whole world is living through a global financial crisis. In such an environment, solidarity between our countries is of great importance. Today, Greece is facing some economic problems.

About 225 businessmen went to Athens from Turkey in an effort to support Greece, said Caglayan. "Turkey has some geographical and strategic advantages with the Caucasus and Russia in the north, Asia in the east, the Middle East in the southeast and Africa in the south. Turkey has very significant ties in those regions. We want to call on Greek businessmen to carry out joint projects with Turkish businessmen in third countries," he said. Turkish and Greek businessmen need to be encouraged to develop their cooperation, and resolve the difficulties stemming from visa requirements, said Caglayan.

Greek Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli said Turkey and Greece should cooperate with each other to develop a solution for the global financial crisis. This crisis is an opportunity to develop cooperation between the two countries, she said. Katseli said 77 Greek investors undertook projects worth $6 billion in Turkey and called on Turkish businessmen to invest in Greece.

She said they attached great importance to the project of establishing a joint index between the Turkish and Greek national stock exchanges. "It will create a new financial market and pave the way for new cooperation in our banking sectors," she said. Turkey and Greece should also cooperate in tourism and sea trade, she added.

Turkey and Greece should also work together to prevent illegal migration, Ketseli noted. "Let's turn the Aegean into a sea of peace and cooperation," she added.

Following the meeting, Caglayan evaluated the summit for Turkish journalists. The economy summit in Athens was perfect timing as it provided Turkey the opportunity to express its views on the ongoing economic crisis in Greece, he said.

Caglayan said improving the economic cooperation between Turkey and Greece would contribute to political relations between the countries as well.

Commenting on the visa problem of Turkish businessmen, Caglayan said, "We are faced with this visa problem all over Europe." Greece needs investors under the current circumstances, and therefore, it cannot afford to put obstacles before businessmen, he said.

"Visa procedures bother businessmen. This is a technical obstacle that hinders trade. We will display efforts to solve this issue. At least, businessmen should be given long-term and multiple-entry visas," Caglayan said.

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