Turkey-Moldova trade ties ‘soar in 15 years’

CHISINAU, Moldova - Anadolu Agency

The volume of trade between Turkey and Moldova rose by nine times in the last 15 years, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavuşoğlu said on Dec. 19 in the Moldovan capital Chisinau.

He met Moldovan Economy Minister Octavian Calmic at the Joint Economic Commission meeting in Chisinau.

Speaking at a joint news conference after the meeting, Çavuşoğlu said bilateral trade volume with Moldova was at $45 million in the first years of the new millennium, but reached $419 million in 2015.

“Our goal is to reach a volume of $1 billion in a short period of time,” he said.

Çavuşoğlu said the Gagauz Turks in Moldova served as a bridge between Turkey and Moldova.

The minister added that the culture Turks and Gagauz people share should turn into future projects that will foster investment, employment and welfare.

Calmic said the two countries signed a free-trade agreement last year and it had a positive impact on relations.

He also said the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency’s (TİKA) investments in Moldova contributed to bilateral relations, adding that Turkish businessmen made investments in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia.

“We welcome Turkey’s support to Moldova and we thank you,” Calmic added.

Later, Çavuşoğlu also met Moldovan President Igor Dodon.