Ambassador: Turkey, Venezuela enjoying historic ties

By Lokman Ilhan

CARACAS (AA) – Turkey and Venezuela enjoy "historic" relations in many areas, including the economy and trade, Turkey’s ambassador in Caracas said on Saturday.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Sevki Mutevellioglu said: “We are now experiencing a historic time between Turkey and Venezuela."

Referring to the defeated 2016 coup in Turkey, he added: “The July 15 coup attempt is a milestone in this regard.”

“Venezuela was one of the few countries which understood what happened on that night and announced explicitly that it took our side.”

The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

In the last two years, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has visited Turkey four times.

Maduro also attended President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inauguration ceremony after his reelection this June.

Mutevellioglu also praised commercial and economic relations between the two countries.

“The trade volume of around $155 million last year has reached $970 million in the first seven months of this year alone. It is expected to surpass $2 billion in the coming years.”

Stating that more Turkish-made products were in Venezuelan markets in recent days, he said: “This makes us happy.”

Turkey has been a good partner and a model for Venezuela in many fields from industry to tourism, from the construction sector to agriculture, Mutevellioglu said.

“Turkey has also come a long way in the defense industry with its quality, competitive productions. Venezuela is very interested in this area and wants to work [with Turkey],” the ambassador added.