ANKARA
Turkish President Abdullah Gul urged Turkey and Romania to raise the trade volume to over $10 billion from $6 billion, in a joint press conference with Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday.
While on Basescu's official visit to Turkish capital, Ankara, he expressed his gratitude for the $5 billion of Turkey's investment in Romania. Basescu hopes that Turkey will double this investment with business opportunities in Romania boosted with EU funds particularly on construction in the new fiscal period.
Basescu said Turkey's EU membership process should be accelerated, as it would be beneficial for both Black Sea countries. Gul was appreciative of Romania's support for Turkey in its EU bid and said it expects Romania to continue supporting Turkey in the EU accession process.
Romania joined EU in 2007 with its southern neighbor Bulgaria.
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