Strategic Cooperation Council between Moldova and Turkey was Constituted

A declaration on the constitution of the high-level Strategic Cooperation Council between Moldova and Turkey was signed by the Presidents of the two states in Chisinau on October 17. President Igor Dodon said that Turkey was an example of how the national interests should be defended for Moldova. It is the strategic partner that played and continues to play an important role. The head of the state noted good economical relations with Turkey and said that trade between the two countries the next years is expected to exceed US$ 1 billion, which is twice more than now, IPN reports. Igor Dodon thanked Turkey for the technical assistance provided to Moldova over 24 years during which more than U.S. $80 million was invested in a non-refundable way, including in social projects in Gagauzia. According to the head of the state, Gagauzia and its people are a bridge between Moldova and Turkey and an additional guarantee of Moldova’s statehood. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his turn noted that Moldova’s territorial integrity is very important for Turkey. Ankara considers the Transnistrian conflict should be settled by peaceful ways. And the signed strategic partnership declaration will take relations between the two states to a new level. “Friends support each other. We will support you whenever you need”, stated the Recep Erdoğan. The President of Turkey also said he does not understand why the support provided for reconstructing the Presidential Building in Moldova is commented negatively in Chisinau and noted that it was a gesture of friendship between Turkey and Moldova. Recep Erdogan called on the people who comment against the Turks to behave so as the friends behave. He announced that two Turkish state banks would soon open branches in Moldova and wolud work for the Moldovan people. During the meeting, the two Presidents agreed that an identical replica of Stephan the Great’s sword whose original is kept in a museum in Turkey would be brought to Moldova in the near future. A similar copy was offered earlier to Romania. At the end of the statement to the press, Igor Dodon conferred the Order of the Republic on Recep Erdogan. The President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is paying an official visit to Moldova during October 17-18. Source: Point.md