Moldovan, Turkish presidents discuss ties, Gagauzian issue

Chisinau, 26 June /MOLDPRES/ - Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti held a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in Istanbul on 25 June, the presidential press service has reported.

The two top leaders noted that the political and economic relations between Moldova and Turkey are on the rise and welcomed the completion of talks on several bilateral agreements, including the agreement on a visa free regime, the readmission agreement, and the accord on the creation of a Moldovan-Turkish free trade area.

Timofti and Gul agreed on a number of actions that the two states' governments have to take to bolster the Moldovan-Turkish trade relations, including Turkish investments in Moldova's economy.

President Nicolae Timofti reviewed a string of successful investment projects that Turkish companies have been carrying out in such Moldovan sectors as hotel industry, medicine and mobile telephony.

For his part, Abdullah Gul voiced hope that investments would significantly increase once the trade regime between the two states is liberalized.

The two officials also approached the Gagauzian issue. The Turkish leader noted that the territorial autonomy Gagauz Yeri is a "friendship bridge" between Turkey and the Republic of Moldova.

Timofti said that Moldova had created conditions for Gagauzian ethnics to study the Gagauzian culture, history and language. He voiced confidence that the Gagauzian ethnics would back Moldova's EU bid and called on the Gagauzian political and cultural establishment to display more loyalty towards the state Republic of Moldova. "Our wish is that the Gagauzian minority turn their face towards the West, as this is where the Republic of Moldova sees its future," President Timofti said.