Turkish PM en route to Spain to meet counterpart Rajoy, King Felipe VI

ANKARA

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım left for an official visit to Spain on April 24 to take part in the 6th Turkey-Spain Intergovernmental Summit and meet with Spanish authorities including the prime minister and the king.

The official visit comes after an invitation by Yıldırım’s Spanish counterpart, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Apart from meeting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Yıldırım is also expected to meet Congress of Deputies President Ana Pastor and King Felipe VI.

Speaking at a news conference in the capital Ankara ahead of his visit, the premier said both sides would focus on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues during his visit.

“Spain and Turkey are strategic partners and NATO allies. The two countries, which embrace different cultures and different identities, co-chaired [the U.N.] Alliance of Civilizations in 2005 as well,” he said.

The premier said he would also meet Turkish and Spanish business communities to boost economic ties. He is also expected to attend the Nueva Economia Forum, which is considered an important reference point for politicians, the business world, diplomats, and the press.

He said Turkey’s bilateral trade with Spain increased by 19 percent in 2017, reaching around $13 billion, while hundreds of Spanish companies were investing in Turkey.

“We take this visit very seriously to further our relations with Spain and we will sign some agreements,” Yıldırım added.

The 6th Turkey-Spain Intergovernmental Summit will be held on April 24-25.

In 2014, Ankara hosted the previous Turkey-Spain Intergovernmental Summit under the chairmanship of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey’s then prime minister and now president, and Rajoy.