Turkish-Syrian talks on free trade takes start

Turkish Foreign Trade Undersecretary Tuncer Kayalar heads the Turkish delegation and Syrian delegation is headed by Deputy Economy and Trade Minister Ghassan al-Habbash of Syria.

Speaking at the opening session of talks that will continue until Thursday, al-Habbash recalled that a decision on start of talks and signing of a free trade agreement and completion of the process by the end of the year had been made during Syrian President Bashar al-Asad’s visit to Turkey early this year.

Noting that development of trade between countries also functioned as an engine accelerating bilateral relations, al-Habbash said that with this objective, work on formation of a customs union among Arab countries to develop trade had reached its final stage and it would be formed within next few months.

Meanwhile, Kayalar stressed that Turkey was determined to further improve cooperation with Syria in every field and Syrian President Bashar al-Asad’s visit to Turkey has historical importance for development of bilateral relations.

Noting that development of relations among influential countries in the region would contribute to settlement of stability in the Middle East, Kayalar said that determination of the Turkish and Syrian countries in this issue would be an impulsive force for development of bilateral relations.

Kayalar added that historical, religious and cultural ties between the two countries increased cooperation potential.

Turkey accepts immediate lifting of customs duties on trade between the two countries but Syria wants a transition period for several sectors to protect domestic industry.

Last year, Turkey imported 413 million U.S. dollars of mainly oil and cotton from Syria while it exported 407 million U.S. dollars of goods to Syria.