VIENNA
Turkish economy minister has said that despite the negative side of Arab Spring on economies and recession in European countries, Turkey was taking firm steps forward.
Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan came together on Tuesday with Turkish businessmen from Austria in Vienna over lunch on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion of the lunch, Caglayan stated that exports was the most crucial factor that allows economic growth.
Caglayan said that Turkey's exports in the last 12 months reached 144-145 billion USD.
Although having a poor performance in terms of budget deficit that compared with the past, Caglayan said that Turkey raised the level and left behind 17 countries in Euro Zone and 21 countries of European Union countries.
Caglayan expressed that despite the negative sides of Arab Spring and economical difficulties in European countries, Turkey was taking firm steps forward.
Caglayan also touched on their economic relations with Austria.
"For the first 7 months of 2012, Austria is the second country behind England that makes highest direct investments in Turkey," said Caglayan.
Caglayan also stated that they were expecting a boost in the economic ties with Austria.
Caglayan meets his Austrian counterpart
Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan met on Tuesday with Austria's Economics, Family & Youth Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner in Vienna, the Austrian capital.
Speaking on the occasion of the visit, Caglayan said that after establishing the Republic of Turkey, the Turkish state had made its first trade agreement with Austria.
Stating that Turkey's and Austria's trade volume in total was 750 billion USD, Caglayan said that 2.7 billion USD trade volume between both countries was insufficient.
Meanwhile, Austrian Economics, Family & Youth Minister Mitterlehner said that the trade between his country and Turkey was developing vigorously.
Noting that they discussed an investment protection agreement with Caglayan during the meeting, the host minister Mitterlehner stated that the agreement would regulate the investments which would be made from Austria or from other countries in Turkey.
