US delegation arrives in Turkey for trade ties

ISTANBUL

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk (L) and U.S. Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca (R) Blank. DHA photo

A large delegation of U.S. leaders, including United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and U.S. Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank, arrived in Turkey yesterday to foster economic and trade ties between Turkey and the U.S.

The delegation attended a special luncheon organized by the Turkish Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu yesterday. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Francis Ricciardone also attended the luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Istanbul.

“Turkey has a customs agreement with the U.S. and this makes it a bit more difficult to develop a free trade agreement,” said Kirk stressing that there were solid step that needed to be taken before Turkey could have a free trade agreement with the U.S.

“First we’ll take these steps. These steps will be the precursors for the free trade agreement,” he added.
Blank also said that American investors were interested in infrastructure projects in Turkey followed by energy, aviation and transportation.