Turkey, Argentina agree to boost ties in all areas

Turkey and Argentina yesterday agreed to enhance their relationship in all areas, despite the geographical distance between the two. "It's very important that both countries' political will is to move ties forward," President Abdullah Gul told reporters at a joint press conference with his visiting Argentinean counterpart Christina Fernandez de Kirchner. "Argentina's decision to open a consulate in Istanbul is important evidence in this direction." The two presidents signed two protocols on civil aviation and cooperation between the two countries' diplomatic academies. Kirchner arrived in Turkey as part of a regional tour that included Qatar. In their meetings, the leaders worked to move past earlier problems – such as Argentina's recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide claims – and instead focused on how to develop ties. Citing both countries' membership in the prestigious G20, Gul underlined the need to capitalize on their economic potential to both countries' benefit. "We want to increase mutual investments," he said. "Some Turkish companies have already invested in Argentina. I hope that Argentinean companies will invest here." Gul also said that under the protocol signed yesterday, direct flights between the two countries will soon start, in a move to bring Turkey and Argentina closer. For her part, Kirchner also touched on how both countries' economies have been growing over the last decade and how they protected themselves from the global economic crisis. "In 2010, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of our diplomatic relations," she said. "We have special ties."