Turkey to launch direct flights to Mexico

By Mustafa Keles

MEXICO CITY

Turkey's flag carrier Turkish Airlines is planning to launch direct flights to Mexico City, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Friday, stressing the importance of improved access between Mexico and Turkey.

Speaking at a joint press conference following a bilateral meeting with his Mexican counterpart Luis Videgaray in Mexico City, Cavusoglu said direct flights and a free trade agreement now in the works would help boost economic ties.

"We are determined to increase bilateral trade volume and speed up negotiations on free trade agreements," he said.

"We live in a difficult region as Turkey and we are doing our best to resolve these crises and to find a diplomatic solution. We never turn a blind eye on humanitarian crises. Mexico is also supporting us in this regard," he added.

Videgaray, for his part, said Mexico was "today more open to the world than ever" and "wants to develop ties on trade and investment issues with all other countries free from all geographical distances".

Expressing his expectation for more Turkish investors in Mexico, especially in the fields of construction and agriculture, Videgaray said there are also investment opportunities for Mexican businessmen in Turkey.

The minister pointed out that there were common targets for the two countries and said his government was aware of the problems Turkey is facing in the region and the role it was playing.

"Turkey and the Turkish people are playing an important role in humanitarian aid by opening its doors to more than 3 million refugees in a complex territory.

"Mexico hopes that the efforts for peace and human rights will be successful," he added.