Gul: Turkey is a big opportunity to end economic crisis

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Tuesday that his country was a big opportunity for Portugal to end the economic crisis. Speaking at the business forum in Portugal, Gul said Turkey and Portugal had perfect political relations, adding that trade volume between the two countries, which increased in the past three years and exceeded USD one billion, was not enough. Turkey is a big opportunity for Portugal to end economic crisis and there are developing countries and big markets around Turkey, noted Gul. Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, in his part, said Turkey was an important partner for the international community and its geo-strategic importance increased with the developing global economy. Turkey's economy has been growing since 2002, said Silva, adding that Portuguese companies should be aware of the opportunities which came with that growth. Turkish economy has a high value thanks to its greatness and vitality in all geographies, Silva added. Silva stated that confident and attractive partnerships could be formed with Turkey thanks to the structural and institutional reforms made in Turkey. Within the scope of his visit to Portugal, Gul, earlier in the day, received President of Lisbon Islam Community Abdul Magid Abdulkerim Vakil as well as Jorge Sampaio, former Portuguese President and the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations.