ANKARA
Turkish President Abdullah Gul said, we were willing to sign "free trade agreement" with Moldova in the shortest time.
Gul hosted a dinner in honor of President Nicolae Timofti of Moldova and First Lady Margareta Timofti at Cankaya Palace on Wednesday.
Gul noted that visa exemption took effect between Turkey and Moldova last year, and said that every year, almost 100,000 Moldovan citizens visited Turkey which strengthened the friendship between Turkey and Moldova.
Gul also reiterated that Turkey, like Moldova, was pursuing its efforts in a determined manner on the road to EU membership which was a strategic choice for the country.
Timofti noted that visa exemption agreement was approved by Moldavan Parliament and he expressed hope that Turkish Parliament would soon approve it too.
A new period will start for bilateral relations between Turkey and Moldova thanks to Joint Statement on Strategic Cooperation which will be signed in future period, Timofti said.
He also stated that Turkey was an important trade partner for Moldova, and added that a FTA would help developing the trade volume.
Timofti invited Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Kishinev.
