Turkey, Romania sign trade protocol

By Musab Turan</p> <p>ISTANBUL (AA) – Turkey and Romania signed a protocol for the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), Turkish trade minister said on Friday.</p> <p>The JETCO aims to improve trade relations between the two countries, Ruhsar Pekcan said during Turkey-Romania Business and Investment Forum, organized by Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in Istanbul.</p> <p>&quot;We added topics to JETCO protocol for investments, bilateral relations, trade, industrial cooperation, collaboration with third countries, relations with the EU, technology, private sector's cooperation, tourism and energy,&quot; Pekcan elaborated.</p> <p>She said Romania is a door for Turkey to open onto the Balkans and Europe, while Turkey is also door for Romania to open onto the Middle East, Africa and the Caucasus.</p> <p>Nail Olpak, the president of DEIK, said updating the Customs Union is one of the most important priorities of Turkish business circle.</p> <p>&quot;We expect support from Romania in this period,&quot; he underlined.</p> <p>The protocol was signed by Pekcan and Stefan Radu Oprea, Romania's Business Environment, Trade and Entrepreneurship Minister.</p> <p> </p> <p>*Writing by Gokhan Ergocun