VietNamNet Bridge – Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim arrived in Ha Noi yesterday, beginning a three-day official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim

The visit aims to develop wide-ranging relations between the two countries. The two sides will seek measures to deepen their co-operation in many areas including trade and investment, science and technology, transport, education and training.

The leaders are also expected to discuss international issues of shared concern.

Viet Nam and Turkey set up diplomatic relations on June 7, 1978. In February 1997, Turkey established its embassy in Ha Noi. In October 1999, Viet Nam opened a Trade Representative Office in Istanbul and in July 2002, its Consulate General. The Consulate General’s office was upgraded to an embassy and moved to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, in October 2003. 

Turkey is Viet Nam’s leading trade partner in the Middle East. Last year, two-way trade reached US$1.51 billion, with Viet Nam earning $1.36 billion from exports to Turkey. Currently, Turkish firms have invested in 15 projects worth $704 million in Viet Nam, ranking 26th among foreign investors in the country. 

In June 2016, Turkish Airlines opened an air route connecting Ha Noi and Istanbul through HCM City with seven flights per week. Earlier, the two countries had signed agreements on aviation, maritime transportation and double tax avoidance. 

At the seventh meeting of the Viet Nam-Turkey Joint Committee on economic and trade co-operation held in Ha Noi last July, the two sides agreed to support each other at international and regional forums, strengthen exchange of delegations at all levels, and raise trade revenues to $4 billion in 2020. 

The two sides also agreed to strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and foster co-operation in several fields including investment, customs, quality standards, energy, food processing, construction and machinery. 

Source: VNS