Gul to hold official contacts in Latvia and Lithuania

President Abdullah Gul and his wife Hayrunnisa Gul yesterday departed for Latvia for an official visit. As part of his visit, Gul will also travel to Lithuania. Before departing for Latvia on Monday, Gul told reporters at Ankara Esenboga Airport that he would pay formal visits to Latvia and Lithuania as the guest of presidents of these countries. Gul also said that the main objective of his visit was to further develop economic and commercial relations with Latvia and Lithuania. Stating that the trade volume between Turkey and Latvia has risen by 150% since 2009 and more than 100% for between Turkey and Lithuania, Gul said economic and commercial relations between Turkey and the two countries has been greatly improved. Accompanying the President on his state visits to Latvia and Lithuania are Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, Transport and Communication Minister Binali Yildirim, members of Parliament, representatives from the business circles, the art world and the media.