02 February 2017•Update: 04 February 2017
Reporting by Nazli Yuzbasioglu; Writing by Sorwar Alam
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic
Turkey and the Dominican Republic agreed to boost cooperation on tourism, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said during a visit to the Caribbean state on Thursday.
Speaking at a joint news conference with his Dominican counterpart Miguel Vargas following a meeting, Cavusoglu said the agreement aimed to increase tourist flow.
The duo also discussed opening a Dominican mission in Ankara. Turkey has operated a mission in the Dominican Republic since 2013.
“Ankara considers the Dominican Republic to be a trusted partner,” Cavusoglu said.
He also thanked his counterpart for the Caribbean state’s support for Turkish democracy after the July 2016 deadly coup attempt allegedly staged by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization.
The minister also touched upon the Turkey-Israel normalization process which saw a high-level foreign ministry officials’ meeting on Wednesday.
Cavusoglu said Ankara and Tel Aviv were looking forward to boosting bilateral ties after more than six years of estrangement, after the Israeli administration fulfilled Ankara’s conditions following the Mavi Marmara raid in 2010.
A significant number of Israeli tourists are expected to visit Turkey this year, Cavusoglu said, noting the Turkish tourism minister’s upcoming visit to a trade fair in Israel.
Turkey and Israel renewed ties last June following a six-year split over the attack over the Mavi Marmara humanitarian aid ship. Israeli commandos killed 10 Turkish activists on board the Gaza-bound vessel.
Later on Thursday, the Turkish foreign minister was received by Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina.
The Dominican Republic was the third leg of Cavusoglu’s official tour to Latin America and the Caribbean following Argentina and Paraguay. Mexico will be a final stop on the diplomatic trip.
