Turkey seeks strong ties with Mexico

MEXICO CITY – Anadolu Agency

Turkey’s flag carrier Turkish Airlines is planning to launch direct flights to Mexico City in a move to improve access and relations between Mexico and Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu said Feb. 3.  

Speaking at a joint press conference after a bilateral meeting with his Mexican counterpart, Luis Videgaray, in Mexico City, Çavuşoğlu said that direct flights and a free trade agreement that are now underway would help boost economic ties.        

“We are determined to increase bilateral trade volume and speed up negotiations on free trade agreements. We live in a difficult region as Turkey and we are doing our best to resolve these crises and find a diplomatic solution. We never turn a blind eye to humanitarian crises. Mexico is also supporting us in this regard,” he said.        

Videgaray, for his part, said Mexico “today is more open to the world than ever” and “wants to develop ties on trade and investment issues with all other countries free from all geographical distances.”

He said he was expecting more Turkish investors in Mexico, especially in the fields of construction and agriculture, adding that there were now more investment opportunities for Mexican businessmen in Turkey. 

Videgaray pointed out that there were common targets for the two countries, noting that his government was aware of the problems Turkey is currently facing in the region and the role it was playing.

“Turkey and the Turkish people are playing an important role in humanitarian aid by opening its doors to more than 3 million refugees in a complex territory. Mexico hopes that the efforts for peace and human rights will be successful,” he added.