Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs tours Lebanese leaders

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib said on Tuesday that work is underway to boost trade relations between Lebanon and Turkey, “which would reflect favorably on both countries.

"We wish Turkey would open its markets to export Lebanese products,” he added after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu who is in Beirut on an official visit.

Bou Habib also stressed that "Lebanon is keen on good relations with all countries,” adding that Lebanon “highly values Turkish support and aid, as well as its participation in the UNIFIL."

"We signed with the Turkish Foreign Minister a cooperation agreement to enhance rapprochement between the two ministries, and we are working on a memorandum of understanding in other areas," Bou Habib explained.

On another note, the Lebanese FM noted that both Turkey and Lebanon are bearing the brunt of the Syrian refugee crisis, emphasizing the significance of coordinating efforts in this regard.

He concluded by calling on the International community to "share the burden or work to repatriate the displaced to their country."

For his part, the Turkish minister said that his visit aims at confirming Turkey’s support to Lebanon, as well as conveying an invitation to Prime Minister Najib Mikati to visit Turkey.

On another note, he stressed on "the government's support for holding the general parliamentary elections on time."

"We have always given importance to the sovereignty, independence and security of Lebanon and provided the necessary support after the Beirut and Akkar explosions, and we support the army and security forces for the stability and security of Lebanon."

Later in the day, Cavusoglu met with President Michel Aoun who said that Lebanon welcomes any aid that Turkey can provide to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their country.

Also, the visiting minister met with Prime Minister Mikati and conveyed to him an invitation to visit Turkey to discuss fields of cooperation.

He emphasized Turkey’s interest in Lebanon’s health sector, especially governmental hospitals and equipping them with the needed medicine and medical equipment, as well as boosting investments and touristic cooperation.