Visit by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Turkey, 25 to 26 June 2022

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan met Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu over dinner in Ankara, Turkey on 25 June 2022.     

The Ministers reaffirmed the warm ties between Singapore and Turkey. They discussed the growing cooperation in trade and investments, including expanding the export of Turkish agricultural and food products to Singapore.

Despite the pandemic, bilateral trade in goods reached a historic high in 2021 with an increase by close to 50%. Singapore companies have been long-term investors in Turkey. PSA jointly operates Mersin Port, one of Turkey’s largest ports. Olam-Progıda is Turkey’s second largest hazelnut producer with facilities in the Black Sea region.

The Ministers also discussed Turkey’s expanding strategic role and hub status at the junction of Asia and Europe. They exchanged views on geostrategic developments, including the situation in Ukraine. Minister Balakrishnan commended Turkey’s efforts to find a solution to facilitate the safe export of grains from Ukrainian ports.

Minister Balakrishnan also welcomed the deepening partnership between ASEAN and Turkey, and looked forward to Turkey’s further engagement of the region. 

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

26 JUNE 2022

Photo Caption: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s meeting with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in Ankara, 25 June 2022

Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore