President Erdoğan’s upcoming France visit to boost bilateral ties

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will discuss regional and bilateral issues with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Paris on Jan. 5, a top aide to Turkish president said.

"During the visit, Turkey-EU relations and regional issues, particularly on Jerusalem, Syria, Iraq and the fight against terrorism will be discussed," Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in a written statement.

"Mr. President's visit will serve to move our cooperation with France even further for the benefit of our nations and the entire region.

"France is an important commercial and economic partner, a prominent ally, with whom we have about six centuries of history and multi-dimensional relationships," Kalin said.

Kalin also said that Turkey and France pursue intense dialogue at all levels on global and regional issues, especially in the fight against terrorism.

"Our deeply rooted relationships are further reinforced by major projects in a wide range of mutual investments, energy, defense industry, science and technology, transport, culture and education.

"The Turkish people living in France, with a population of about 700,000, acts as a bridge between our countries," Kalin said.

Erdoğan announced on Saturday that he will visit France on Friday after a gap of two years.