'Ties between Colombia, Turkey to enhance further'

By Daniel Salgar Antolinez

BOGOTA (AA) - The relations between Bogota and Ankara will develop further, Colombian Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Maria Lorena Gutierrez said.

"Turkey supported our membership process to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Hereby, I want to thank Turkey.

"After all this process, it is obvious that as members of OECD, our relations will undoubtedly enhance further," Gutierrez told Anadolu Agency.

OECD countries agreed on May 25 to invite Colombia as the 37th member of the organization. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and OECD secretary-general Angel Gurria signed an accession agreement on Wednesday in the French capital, Paris.

Gutierrez also said she will pay a visit to Turkey without giving details on the schedule.

She said Colombia and Turkey have good communication via diplomatic channels.

During her visit to Turkey, the minister said, she wants to reach a mutual understanding between the two countries as Turkey is important for Colombia in the area of trade.

According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s website, a free trade agreement is currently being negotiated between the two countries.

"This process will not be left undone and it is really important to reach an agreement that will bring us closer," Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said three topics will be in her agenda to discuss with Turkish officials during her visit.

"Turkey is one of the leading country on the construction of airports. We renewed more than 50 airports in Colombia. That is why, I want to show that this is an area, where Turkey can invest," she added.

The minister added the other issues will be the infrastructure and investment.

Gutierrez said she will also meet with the officials of Turkish Airlines, adding: "We want Turkish Airlines to have flights every day from Istanbul to Bogota."

In 2016, Turkey's national air carrier launched direct flights to Bogota and Panama three times a week.

Turkey established an embassy in Bogota in 2010 and Colombia opened its embassy in Ankara in 2011.

The trade volume between the two countries reached $1.8 billion in 2017, according to official data.