Strategic cooperation document signed today will boost bilateral relations, says South Korean President Lee Myung-bak

ANKARA (A.A) - February 6, 2012 - South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Monday that the strategic cooperation document he signed with Turkish President Abdullah Gul would boost bilateral relations in a comprehensive fashion. Speaking at a joint press briefing with President Gul in Ankara, President Lee Myung-bak said that he was pleased to be visiting Turkey and defined Turkey as a "brotherly country". I thank President Gul for the warm welcome, President Lee said. We prepared a document with President Gul to turn our bilateral relations into a strategic partnership. I believe that the strategic cooperation document we signed today would boost bilateral relations in a comprehensive way, President Lee noted. Our talks were very beneficial. We discussed bilateral relations and global problems. We exchanged views on how we could promote strategic partnership relations, President Lee stressed. There is a problem of insurance security in the investments of South Korean companies in Turkey. We agreed to solve this problem by April, Lee said. The trade volume between Turkey and South Korea is below the potential. I believe that the trade volume would increase with the realization of a free trade agreement, Lee underlined. We decided to strengthen our relations in the fields of economy and defense industry. I thank Turkey for the stance of their government vis a vis the disarming of North Korea, Lee said. I appreciate the leading role that Turkey played in North Africa and the Middle East. Turkey's role contributed to the democratization and economic development of the region, Lee noted. Turkey is a model country and a source of inspiration for Islamic countries wishing for economic development and democratization, Lee stressed. Answering a question of a journalist, President Lee said that Turkey wanted to cooperate with South Korea to develop its nuclear industry. Turkey has trust in the nuclear technology of South Korea. The meetings to be held between the two countries would eradicate problems in the nuclear issue, President Lee emphasized. In regard to a question on the defense industry, President Lee said that they would boost cooperation with Turkey in the defense industry field. Turkey and South Korea have gone far in the defense industry. By cooperating further, we can reach very good results, Lee also said.