Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council signed a joint statement on Thursday in the capital, Ankara, to begin negotiations between the two sides regarding a free trade agreement.
The statement was signed by the Turkish Minister of Commerce, Ömer Polat, while the Secretary-General of the Cooperation Council, Jassim Muhammad Al-Budaiwi, represented the Gulf Cooperation Council.
In a speech during the signing ceremony, Polat said that when negotiations on the agreement are completed, the opportunity will emerge to develop and diversify trade and economic relations between the two parties within a more comprehensive framework.
Polat stated that the goal is to make a serious contribution to the well-being of Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with the completion of the negotiation process and the entry into force of the free trade agreement between the two sides.
For his part, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, said that the signing of the statement is evidence of the strength of the strategic and deep partnership between the GCC countries and Turkey.
He added that the signing of the statement also indicates the regional and international standing achieved by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at all levels, including the commercial, economic and financial standing.
