Turkish president to visit Yemen this month

Source: Saba 06/01/2011

SANA'A- Yemen and Turkey will sign several cooperation deals including big ones on economic and military cooperation, when Turkey's President Abdullah Gul, as the first ever Turkish president, arrives in the country this month.

The two countries are expected to sign an agreement for cooperation on military industries as Turkey is keen to help Yemen develop its military industries, said Sobhi Atan, deputy Turkish ambassador to Yemen, on Wednesday.

Furthermore, another agreement will be reached for establishing the Turkish-Yemeni businessmen council, he said. "Turkey has confidence that Yemen is able to tackle its problems peacefully and without international intervention.

It is also keen to continue supporting Yemen's economy and development and has already put aside funds in development aid to Yemen," added Atan. The remarks were given at a cultural symposium held today in Sana'a, which highlighted Yemen-Turkey links and the keenness to further strengthen them. The visit will provide them with the best opportunity to find ways to strengthen cooperation and build a stronger partnership, as they hope for promoting the bilateral trade, expected to amount to $ 1 billion this year, officials from both countries have said.

Economic and investment issues will top the agenda of talks during Gul's visit, officials told Saba. At the symposium organized by Sana'a University, the Yemeni Center for Future Startegic Studies Manarat and the Civil Society Coordination Council, Abu Bakr Al-Maflahi, Culture Minister, said the visit will mark a milestone in the bilateral cooperation and deep-rooted links between the two countries, as about 100 Turkish businessmen will accompany their president to Yemen.

The Turkish-Yemeni businessmen council, yet to be officially announced, will hold meetings to find ways to strengthen the bilateral economic cooperation and to enable businessmen from both countries to launch joint investment ventures. Ahead of the council meetings, a delegation from Turkey's Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges will arrive in Yemen on January 7th to prepare for the meetings.