Turkish, Spanish businessmen push for stronger trade ties

Turkey plans to learn from Spain’s experience in wind and solar energy and in its plan to build a bridge over the Dardanelles. Gathering Tuesday in Istanbul at a meeting organized by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), businessmen from both countries discussed how to develop trade ties. A total of 214 companies, 208 Turkish and 23 Spanish, attended the meeting. “Turkey is a strategic partner for Spain," said Aurelio Perez Giralda, Spain 's consul in Istanbul , expressing satisfaction that bilateral relations have reached a new level. Last year Turkey’s exports to Spain ballooned 45 percent while Spain 's exports to Turkey rose 12 percent, he said. "Turkey is the number 10 destination for Spanish exports, while Spain ranks number seven among Turkey's export destinations," said Zeynel Abidin Erdem, the head of DEIK's Turkey-Spain Business Council. "The cooperation between our Mediterranean countries is very important." Talks with Spain in wind and solar energy are ongoing, Erdem told reporters, adding, "We want to learn from Spain 's experience, especially in wind power." On cooperating with Spain on the planned Dardanelles bridge, Erdem said the two sides have already begun discussing the issue. "This project is very important for strengthening trade ties and also lightening Istanbul’s (traffic) burden."