Turkey, Venezuela enjoying historic ties: Ambassador

CARACAS- Anadolu Agency

Turkey and Venezuela enjoy “historic” relations in many areas, including economy and trade, Turkey’s ambassador in Caracas said on Sept. 29. 

“We are now experiencing a historic time between Turkey and Venezuela,” said Şevki Mütevellioğlu in an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency. 

“The July 15 coup attempt is a milestone in this regard,” he said, referring to the defeated 2016 coup in Turkey. 

“Venezuela was one of the few countries which understood what happened on that night and announced explicitly that it took our side,” said Mütevellioğlu. 

FETÖ and its United States-based leader Fethullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup, which left 251 people dead and nearly 2,200 injured. 

In the last two years, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has visited Turkey four times. Maduro also attended Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s inauguration ceremony after his reelection this June. 

Mütevellioğlu also praised commercial and economic relations between the two countries. 

“The trade volume of around $155 million last year has reached $970 million in the first seven months of this year alone. It is expected to surpass $2 billion in the coming years,” he said. 

“This makes us happy,” said the ambassador, adding that more Turkish-made products have been in Venezuelan markets in recent days.

Turkey has been a good partner and a model for Venezuela in many fields from industry to tourism, from the construction sector to agriculture, Mütevellioglu said. 

“Turkey has also come a long way in the defense industry with its quality and competitive productions. Venezuela is very interested in this area and wants to work [with Turkey],” the ambassador added.