Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Friday (November 17th) met and held talks with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Dr. Ahmet Davuto?lu.

Discussions covered bilateral issues and the Prime Minister noted that bilateral cooperation between the two countries was continually being strengthened. Among the issues raised were ways of creating a free trade zone and issuance of free visas between the two countries. The Prime Minister noted that Turkey's request for the creation of a free trade zone was difficult at this time as Ethiopia was in the process of acceding to the World Trade Organization.

The Prime Minister added that the possibility of issuing free visas with a view to facilitate trade relations between the two countries needed some study. After the discussion Professor Dr. Ahmet told journalists that the bilateral cooperation between the two countries was expanding particularly in trade and investment. Currently there were some 330 Turkish companies with a combined capital of more than US$1.8 billion engaged in Ethiopia, he said.