Turkey and Colombia decide to lift visa

Calderon said that Turkey would undertake OECD's presidency in 2.012, adding that Turkey's supporting Colombia's membership was important. 

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Friday that they decided to lift visa between Turkey and Colombia.

Holding a joint press conference with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Calderon in Ankara, Gul said that this was the first visit from Colombia to Turkey on presidential level.

We attach importance in Colombia which is one of the most important countries of Latin America, said Gul, adding that Turkey declared 2.006 as Latin America year, and opened embassies in many countries within that scope.

Gul added that Turkish embassy to Colombia was opened last year, and Colombian embassy in Ankara would be opened today.

Gul said that they decided to develop Turkey-Colombia relations in every area, adding that they also decided to lift visa between the two countries.

Noting that economic relations between the two countries strengthened, Gul said that foreign trade volume exceeded half billion USD.

Gul said that foreign trade agreement, military & defense cooperation agreement and tax exemption & investment incentives agreement between the two countries would be completed soon.

"Seeking help for OECD membership"

Calderon said that lifting visa between Turkey and Colombia was a symbol of confidence to each other.

We are on stage four in Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, said Calderon, adding that the two countries could cooperate in defense industry, infrastructure sector and housing area. Calderon said that Turkey's experience in construction was important for Colombia.

He added that the two countries could pursue joint projects in textile sector.

Noting that Colombia targeted to be a member of OECD, Calderon said that Turkey would undertake OECD's presidency in 2.012, adding that Turkey's supporting Colombia's membership was important.

Calderon also invited Gul in Colombia.