Erdogan arrives in Warsaw for trade talks

By Bahattin Gonultas

WARSAW (AA) - Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Warsaw on Tuesday on a one-day visit aimed at boosting trade.

Erdogan was accompanied by a large delegation including Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, EU Minister Omer Celik, National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli and Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci.

During the trip, Erdogan is due to hold meetings with President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Beata Szydlo as well as the speakers of both houses of the parliament.

He will also attend a Polish-Turkish business forum.

According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the countries “share similar approaches to regional and international issues.” Turkey supported Poland joining NATO while Warsaw has backed Turkey’s bid to join the EU.

Erdogan’s trip comes two days ahead of an EU leaders’ meeting that is due to focus on migration, defense, digitalization and foreign affairs, including EU relations with Turkey.

Trade between Turkey and Poland has more than doubled over the last 10 years, rising from $2.49 billion in 2006 to nearly $6 billion last year, according to Turkey’s Economy Ministry.

Turkish exports to Poland were worth $1.9 billion between January and September while imports were valued at $2.1 billion.