Turkey's minister of foreign affairs said on Tuesday that implementation of joint cooperation action plans with Gulf countries would both strengthen the historical friendship ties between nations and create an area of economic interaction in the region, Anadolu agency reported.
Appearing at a press conference following his meeting with Abdurrahman Hamad Al-Attiyah, Secretary-General of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in capital Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey and Gulf countries had the same approach to regional issues.
"Above all things, we want peace, stability and prosperity in our region," the minister said.
Describing Turkey and GCC-member states as complementary economies, Davutoglu said cooperation between those actors would make a remarkable contribution both at regional and global level.
Commenting on the projects to be carried out by Turkey and Gulf countries, Davutoglu said construction of a railway network between Europe and Gulf region was on the agenda, moreover, there were projects to be implemented in energy and health sectors.
Davutoglu said the free trade agreement between Turkey and GCC would be signed as soon as possible and a significant free trade area would be set up in the region.
The minister also said developments in Iraq and Lebanon as well as the Middle East peace process and Iran's nuclear talks had been on the agenda of his meeting with Al-Attiyah.
Al-Attiyah, in his part, said that he was quite pleased with the level of relations between Turkey and his organization.
Noting that steps to improve relations in areas of energy, trade, industry, investment, education, culture and health had been taken during the meetings between foreign ministers, Al-Attiyah said they desired the free trade agreement to be concluded in the shortest possible time.
Pointing out to Turkey's active role in foreign policy, Al-Attiyah also said Turkey's efforts to establish security and stability in Palestine, Iraq, Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon were praiseworthy.
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