ANKARA: The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Al-Budaiwi, said that the joint statement signed on Thursday to start free trade negotiations between the GCC and Turkey reflected the strong relations between the countries. This came in a press statement during the signing of Al-Budaiwi and the Turkish Minister of Trade Dr. Omer Bolat in Ankara to start the free trade negotiations agreement between the two sides. Al-Budaiwi stressed that this was an indication of the GCC’s regional and international status at all levels, including trade, economic, and financial status.

The Secretary General pointed out that the joint statement emphasized the importance of cooperation between Turkey and the GCC to strengthen economic relations and expand trade and investment between the countries. Al-Budaiwi stressed that the GCC aims to strengthen the prospects of trade and economic cooperation for the GCC regionally and internationally, in addition to diversifying their sources of income and economies. — KUNA