 Argentinean President Cristina Kirchner (R) and her Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gül, inspect an honor guard at the presidential palace in Ankara. AFP photo |
Turkey and Argentina have agreed to enhance their relationship in all fields despite the geographical distance separating the two.
“It’s very important that both countries’ political will is to move ties forward. Argentina’s decision to open a consulate in Istanbul is important evidence in this direction,” President Abdullah Gül told reporters at a joint press conference with visiting Argentinean President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner. The two presidents signed two protocols on civil aviation and cooperation between the two countries' diplomatic academies.
Kirchner arrived in Turkey as part of regional tour that included Qatar. The two countries have had bitter ties in the past as Argentina recognized the Armenian genocide claims and adapted its history textbooks accordingly. But the leaders preferred not to talk about this problem during Thursday’s meetings and instead focused on how to develop ties.
Recalling that both countries are members of the prestigious G-20 club, Gül underlined the need to capitalize on the two countries’ economic potential for the advantage of the two nations. “We want to increase mutual investments. Some Turkish companies have already invested in Argentina. I hope that Argentinean companies will invest here,” he stated. Gül also said that thanks to the protocol signed Thursday, direct flights between the two countries would soon commence in a move to bring Turkey and Argentina closer.
“You know about Turkey’s new opening toward Latin America. Visits to the region have increased and we have opened new embassies and sent representatives. Our trade is increasing and so are our political consultations,” Gül said.
For her part, Kirchner also touched on how both countries’ economies have been growing in the last decade and how Turkey and Argentina could protect themselves from the devastating global economic crisis.
“In 2010, we celebrated the 100th year of the establishment of our diplomatic relations,” she recalled. “We have special ties.”
People who fled to Argentina from the Middle East in the late 19th century and early 20th century are still called “Los Turcos,” as many of them were living under Ottoman rule, regardless of their ethnic and religious background.
The Turkish-Argentinean Business Forum will be convened Friday in Istanbul, where the two countries’ businessmen will have a chance to meet each other and discuss opportunities for investment and trade.
“It’s very important that both countries’ political will is to move ties forward. Argentina’s decision to open a consulate in Istanbul is important evidence in this direction,” President Abdullah Gül told reporters at a joint press conference with visiting Argentinean President Christina Fernandez de Kirchner. The two presidents signed two protocols on civil aviation and cooperation between the two countries' diplomatic academies.
Kirchner arrived in Turkey as part of regional tour that included Qatar. The two countries have had bitter ties in the past as Argentina recognized the Armenian genocide claims and adapted its history textbooks accordingly. But the leaders preferred not to talk about this problem during Thursday’s meetings and instead focused on how to develop ties.
Recalling that both countries are members of the prestigious G-20 club, Gül underlined the need to capitalize on the two countries’ economic potential for the advantage of the two nations. “We want to increase mutual investments. Some Turkish companies have already invested in Argentina. I hope that Argentinean companies will invest here,” he stated. Gül also said that thanks to the protocol signed Thursday, direct flights between the two countries would soon commence in a move to bring Turkey and Argentina closer.
“You know about Turkey’s new opening toward Latin America. Visits to the region have increased and we have opened new embassies and sent representatives. Our trade is increasing and so are our political consultations,” Gül said.
For her part, Kirchner also touched on how both countries’ economies have been growing in the last decade and how Turkey and Argentina could protect themselves from the devastating global economic crisis.
“In 2010, we celebrated the 100th year of the establishment of our diplomatic relations,” she recalled. “We have special ties.”
People who fled to Argentina from the Middle East in the late 19th century and early 20th century are still called “Los Turcos,” as many of them were living under Ottoman rule, regardless of their ethnic and religious background.
The Turkish-Argentinean Business Forum will be convened Friday in Istanbul, where the two countries’ businessmen will have a chance to meet each other and discuss opportunities for investment and trade.
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