China reiterates support for Turkey’s economy

BEIJING

China is supporting Turkey’s efforts for national security, stability and economy, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Wang Yi said after speaking with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on the phone on Aug. 18.

The duo exchanged ideas during the phone call; Wang said China supports efforts to boost China-Turkey Strategic Cooperation, according to a written statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Wang said the Turks led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will overcome their temporary difficulties, adding that China believes Turkey will develop in a stable way.

He added that China remains ready to protect developing countries and the legitimate rights of rising economies.

Çavuşoğlu said Turkey is ready to strengthen its strategic dialogue with China, read the statement.

“We are expecting to deepen cooperation based on mutual interests with China. We will join the ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative more actively,” the Chinese ministry cited the Turkish foreign minister as saying.

The One Belt One Road initiative - which brings together China, 11 EU member states and five Balkan states - has been part of Beijing’s ambitious trade plan; it is also referred to as the New Silk Road.

China has significantly increased its investments in the region since it introduced the One Belt One Road initiative in 2013, which involves grand infrastructure projects to connect Eurasian countries with China.

Separately, The Turkish finance minister and his French counterpart agreed on Aug. 17 over the phone to conduct a joint action against U.S. sanctions targeting Turkey, according to the ministerial sources.

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire discussed economic cooperation, the Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Albayrak and Le Maire agreed to improve bilateral cooperation, the statement said, adding delegations from both countries would meet in Paris on Aug. 27.

The Turkish minister also thanked his counterpart and French President Emmanuel Macron for their support.

Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations after Washington imposed sanctions on two Turkish Cabinet ministers for not releasing pastor Andrew Brunson.