New opening in Turkey, Mexico ties, says Babacan
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 13, 2008 00:00
ANKARA - Turkey and Mexico agreed to boost business ties and the establishment of the Turkish-Mexican Business Council would be a significant basis in that regard, said the foreign minister on Thursday.
Ali Babacan was visiting Mexico as part of Turkey's efforts to boost relations with Latin American nations. It marked the first visit by a Turkish foreign minister to Mexico in 80 years.
"It is incomprehensible why Turkey's relations with Mexico, one of the important countries in Latin America, are that weak," Babacan was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. "We see (this visit) as the beginning of a new opening. We have seen the same willingness on the part of Mexico."
Babacan said friendly ties with Mexico would improve Turkey's relations with other countries in the region and added the new embassies and consulates Turkey would open in Latin America rendered the visit even more important. He noted that both countries would be among non-permanent members of the U.N. Security Council as of January 2009.
The foreign minister expressed the will to further intensify trade ties and said he believed the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico would be useful. However, a free trade deal Mexico struck with the United States hurt some industries, an issue creating sensitivity among Mexicans toward similar agreements with other countries, including Turkey, noted Babacan. He said preparations were under way to sign deals to avoid double taxation and to encourage mutual investments.
Military option against PKK
Babacan also mentioned Turkey's fight with the terrorist PKK organization, during a joint press conference with his Mexican counterpart Patricia Espinosa. "In our struggle against this organization we're using many tools, including the military," Babacan said, adding that his government would keep all options on the table.
Despite the historical nature of the visit, the government's delay in appointing an ambassador to Mexico City cast a shadow over Babacan's trip. Ahmet Banguoğlu, Turkey's former envoy to Mexico returned to Ankara months ago but the government has not made a new appointment to replace him for months. The government's ignorance is not unique to Mexico; many other capitals where Turkey has an embassy, are waiting on new ambassadors.
"It is incomprehensible why Turkey's relations with Mexico, one of the important countries in Latin America, are that weak," Babacan was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency. "We see (this visit) as the beginning of a new opening. We have seen the same willingness on the part of Mexico."
Babacan said friendly ties with Mexico would improve Turkey's relations with other countries in the region and added the new embassies and consulates Turkey would open in Latin America rendered the visit even more important. He noted that both countries would be among non-permanent members of the U.N. Security Council as of January 2009.
The foreign minister expressed the will to further intensify trade ties and said he believed the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico would be useful. However, a free trade deal Mexico struck with the United States hurt some industries, an issue creating sensitivity among Mexicans toward similar agreements with other countries, including Turkey, noted Babacan. He said preparations were under way to sign deals to avoid double taxation and to encourage mutual investments.
Military option against PKK
Babacan also mentioned Turkey's fight with the terrorist PKK organization, during a joint press conference with his Mexican counterpart Patricia Espinosa. "In our struggle against this organization we're using many tools, including the military," Babacan said, adding that his government would keep all options on the table.
Despite the historical nature of the visit, the government's delay in appointing an ambassador to Mexico City cast a shadow over Babacan's trip. Ahmet Banguoğlu, Turkey's former envoy to Mexico returned to Ankara months ago but the government has not made a new appointment to replace him for months. The government's ignorance is not unique to Mexico; many other capitals where Turkey has an embassy, are waiting on new ambassadors.