Turkey is to intensify relations with Romania in areas of energy

Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said the development of relations between Turkey and Romania was important for regional peace and prosperity on Wednesday. Speaking in a joint press conference in Romania, Cicek said, "The development of relations between Turkey and Romania is important for the two countries as well as regional peace and prosperity." Cicek said economic and cultural relations increased between the two countries and added: "We are thankful for Romania's support to Turkey's EU membership. We are all trying to improve the relations in every area of energy and transportation. This will be for the benefit of the two countries." President of the Representative Assembly of Romania Valeriu Stefan Zgonea said "Turkey has already proved to be a European country. EU will be much more powerful with the country's membership." Turkey appreciates Romania's support in EU membership Cicek said Turkey maintained the reform and democratisation process regarding the full membership in EU. Cicek addressed The Chamber of Deputies in Romania on Wednesday and said they appreciated Romania's support in Turkey's EU membership. Cicek stated they did their best as The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to contribute to the full membership of Turkey and said "We believe the process of full membership in EU should be brought to an end soon. With this sense, we expect that EU should act with a strategic vision evaluating correctly the advantages and value that Turkey would provide EU with." Stating Turkish and Romanian economies got over the global crisis successfully, Cicek said the trading volume between two countries was 6 billion dollars last year which is expected to reach 10 billion dollars this year. Cicek pointed out that Turkish people living in Romania together with Tatars played a key role in establishing the bridge of friendship between two countries and said, "We appreciate that Romanian authorities have made it possible for Turkish people to live in peace speaking their own language and practising their religious duties freely while at the same time helping them be integrated into Romanian society."