Spanish and Turkey foreign ministers met in Ankara discussing Libya and economic cooperation, and also agreed to boost bilateral trade and investment. A joint news conference between Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu finishing in the agreement to increase trade volume to €20 billion from the current €12 billion.
Last week, the virtual meeting was held to accommodate the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO). At the occasion, both countries’ trade ministers discussed cooperative key sectors; renewable energy, defense, technology, finance, transportation and tourism. Spain Foreign Minister Laya said that Turkey is important for Spain’s foreign investment, and during the meeting she reassured the intention to increase foreign investments in Turkey, as the economic and trade relations between the two countries are very healthy.
In 2021, the business world forum between both countries will be held to boost and strengthen investment and trade. The gesture to go to Turkey at the first outside the EU visit signifies the importance of the relations between two countries as friends and allies. Laya also added that the country thanked Turkey for the help during the pandemic and supported Spanish people returning to their home country. She also said the EU’s travel restriction during pandemic to some countries is based on epidemiological criteria, not political decisions.
Both countries also talked over Libyan crisis during the bilateral meetings and Spain has sought a complete cease-fire as they want the parties to return to the Berlin process and reach a political agreement. EU stance on Libya also to uphold a consulted and political solution, also support UN’s decision on the arms embargo and EU’s Operation Irini.
