Syrian-Turkish statement on Yassin's visit in Ankara

A joint press statement was issued in Ankara on Wednesday on the two-day visit recently made by Syrian Deputy Premier Salim Yassin to Turkey on March 22 and 23.

The statement reads: "Yassin has paid an official visit to Turkey at the invitation of the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hikmet Ulugbay."

" During the visit, Yassin was received by acting President and Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Hikmet Cetin, and with his counterpart Ulugbay as well as with the transport minister Hassan Bassri Aktan and the Tourism minister Ahmad Tan."

"The two deputy premiers exchanged views on economic ties and ways of boosting them to serve common interests. "

A common understanding was reached following the meetings on initiatives that are made to develop trade and economic relations between Syria and Turkey. Among the initiatives are:

1- Exerting very possible effort to reactivate and diversify trade ties and to exchange delegations conducive to founding a council of businessmen from both states and to take part in trade expositions.

2- Starting talks on an accord pertaining to avoiding double taxation.

3-A. Concluding an agreement to strengthen and protect investments in terms of setting a legal system for economic relations.

3-B. Convening meetings between officials of tourism and transport ministries with a view to discussing bilateral relations.

4- Finding ways of reactivating agreements on agriculture, scientific, artistic, education and cultural cooperation.