Turkey-Vietnam Joint Economic & Commercial Committee (JECC) meeting, chaired by Yazici and Vietnamese Industry & Trade Minister Vu Huy Hoang, started in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

Speaking at the meeting, Yazici commented on the current status of the economic relations between Turkey and Vietnam, as well as ways to improve cooperation.

"When the developments in our economy and global trends are taken into consideration, we can say that the bilateral trade between Turkey and Vietnam may reach 2 billion USD in the next 3 years," Yazici said.

Noting that the JECC meeting was a great opportunity for the two countries, Yazici said that a work plan, which would be used as a road-map in Turkish-Vietnamese relations, could be prepared for the 2009-2010 period.

Yazici also said that Turkish ministers would pay visits to Vietnam in 2009 and Turkey would invite Vietnamese businessmen to the fairs that would be held in Turkey during the next 2 years.

He said Turkish officials would also participate in several fairs to take place in Vietnam.

Delivering a speech at the meeting, Vietnamese Minister Hoang said that Turkey and his country had the opportunity to build up a closer cooperation.

Hoang also said Vietnam was aware of the fact that Turkey was a door opening to Europe for his country.

AA