Positive atmosphere between Türkiye and Greece is expected to boost trade relations

During the visit, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to welcome Mitsotakis in Ankara.

Relations between Türkiye and Greece have the potential for cooperation in many areas such as health, environment, culture and arts, tourism, economy and trade. In addition, the "positive agenda" initiative, which was launched in 2021 and is expected to accelerate trade relations, is being institutionalized with mutual visits and cooperation agreements.

The fact that both Türkiye and Greece have attractive tourism destinations, global importance in terms of trade and energy shipments, and mutual direct investment advantages stand out as the main economic opportunities for Türkiye.

In this context, tomorrow's visit is important for strengthening bilateral relations.

10 billion dollars target in trade volume

Exports worth 2 billion 609 million 889 thousand 468 dollars were exported to Greece last year. Türkiye bought 1 billion 495 million 449 thousand 41 dollars worth of products from Greece during this period. Thus, while the volume of foreign trade exceeded 4.1 billion dollars last year, it is aimed to increase this figure to 10 billion dollars.

Iron and steel ranked first in exports with 246 million 744 thousand 317 dollars as of the end of 2023. This sector was followed by "motor vehicles, tractors, bicycles, bicycles, motorcycles and other land vehicles, their parts, parts, accessories" with 233 million 581 thousand 399 dollars and "plastics and products" with 210 million 990 thousand 642 dollars.

Türkiye, on the other hand, purchased 553 million 330 thousand 260 dollars worth of "mineral fuels, mineral oils and products derived from their distillation, bituminous substances, mineral wax" from Greece in this period. This chapter was followed by cotton, cotton yarn and cotton textile products with 214 million 298 thousand 785 dollars.

The number of Greek tourists visiting Türkiye exceeded 168 thousand in the first quarter

With the revitalization of tourism activities after the Covid-19 outbreak, visits of Greek citizens to Türkiye also increased.

In this context, while 71 thousand 490 tourists came to Türkiye in the January-March period of 2022, this number increased by 83.84 percent to 131 thousand 424 in the same period last year.

Greek citizens' interest in Türkiye continued in the first quarter of this year. In the said period, the number of tourists increased by 28.38 percent compared to the same period last year and reached 168 thousand 724.