UPDATE - Turkey, Moldova vow to boost ties

UPDATES WITH MOLDOVAN PM’S REMARKS

By Sinan Uslu and Mumin Altas

CHISINAU, Moldova (AA) - Moldova and Turkey have no borders but still their bilateral ties bind the two nations together, Turkish prime minister said on Friday.

Addressing a joint press conference with his counterpart Pavel Filip during his two-day visit to Moldova, Binali Yildirim referred to the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, also known as the GokoguzYeri, which is the home of the Turkic tribe, Gokoguz-Gagauz Turks.

The Gokoguz-Gagauz Turks serve as a bridge between the two countries, Yildirim said.

“Although Turkey has no joint borders with Moldova, we have other ties such as the Black Sea and the Gokoguz-Gagauz Turks who contribute significantly in building bridges between Turkey and Moldova,” the premier said.

Filip agreed with Yildrim and added that Moldova appreciated Turkish contributions in Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia.

Yildirim expressed grief over the flood that hit Moldova two weeks ago and said Turkey would continue to give all kinds of support to the Eastern European country.

Filip thanked the Turkish government and said the €100,000 ($109,903) financial aid “is very valuable to us, and this aid was sent to us during the time of our most need.”

About the 25th anniversary of Turkish-Moldovan ties, Yildirim said his visit would add a new dimension to the bilateral relations especially since this was the first official visit at the prime ministerial level.

"It will be possible to take our economic, commercial, tourism, cultural area relations ahead within the framework of agreements signed here,” he said, adding that the present economic level of relations were far below the real potential.

“Our trade volume is $400 million and has the potential to reach $1 billion. We think this process should be accelerated further through free-trade agreements.

“In order to add new projects to the ones already initiated by Turkish entrepreneurs in Moldova, we are also giving necessary incentives and support to companies,” Yildirim said.

Referring to the common goals of both countries, he said: “The future of the Black Sea region is the common future of both countries.

"From now on, we are ready to move our relations, which are good in both regional and Black Sea Economic Cooperation scope, to a far better place in many areas.”

Filip said Turkey “is a strategic partner for Moldova.” He said the agreement signed to establish a high strategic council between two countries would help in enhancing ties.

The meeting of two leaders was followed by the signing of a number of agreements in the capital Chisinau, including a deal on social security.

Moldovan broadcaster TRM and its state news agency Moldpres also signed cooperation agreements with Turkey’s TRT and Anadolu Agency.