Turkey is interested in augmenting trade with Moldova to €1 billion a year, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said in Chisinau after the signing of the protocol of cooperation between the Government of Moldova and the Government of Turkey concerning the general terms and conditions for development. Under the document, Moldova will receive technical assistance in different areas of activity, IPN reports.

The Turkish official said the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement with Moldova is a priority for the Parliament of Turkey as it will foster the commercial exchanges and investments. The Moldovan side ratified the accord in 2014. In the near future, there will be also signed a strategic bilateral cooperation agreement between the two states.

Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu noted that Turkey fully supports Moldova’s European integration efforts and also wants a bilateral agreement to protect the investments with Moldova.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman said Turkey is a very important partner for Moldova. “We hope to also sign soon a statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership between Moldova and Turkey, which will represent a qualitatively new stage in the development of the bilateral relations,” she stated.

The two officials also discussed the prospects of increasing investments into Moldova through the TIKA Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency and issues related to the opening of a Moldovan consulate in Antalya. A relevant agreement was signed by the two foreign ministers also today, April 2.

Later today, the two officials will make a working visit to the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia.