Uruguay, Turkey agree to start talks on trade deal

MONTEVIDEO, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The foreign ministers of Uruguay and Turkey agreed here on Saturday to begin negotiations toward a bilateral free trade agreement.

Uruguayan Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu "agreed on the need to strengthen bilateral trade ties through agreements that generate better market access conditions for exports" for both countries, Uruguay's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added the top two diplomats "proceeded to sign the terms of reference to start the negotiation process leading to a bilateral Free Trade Agreement."

Cavusoglu's visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations and is part of "the signing of bilateral agreements, reciprocal visits by high-ranking authorities from both countries, (and) the opening of resident embassies," the statement said.

The foreign ministers then attended the official inauguration of the Turkish Embassy in Uruguay.