Malta–Turkey relations
Malta–Turkey relations are foreign relations between Malta and Turkey. Malta is represented in Turkey through its embassy in Ankara. Malta and its consulate–general in Istanbul.[1] Turkey is represented in Malta through its embassy in Valletta. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the World Trade Organization and the Union for the Mediterranean.
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Historical background
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Malta has a historical significance for the Turkish people as the place where Turgut Reis, a famous admiral of the Ottoman Navy, was killed during the Siege of Malta in 1565.[2] There is a Turkish Military Cemetery at Marsa, which was commissioned by the Ottoman sultan in 1873.[3]
Political relations
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Malta is a European Union member since May 1, 2004 and Turkey is a candidate. These recent developments have helped to formalise diplomatic relations between the two countries.[2]
An Agreement of Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments and a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the Political Consultative Mechanism between the two countries was signed in October 2003 in Antalya.[2]
Economic relations
The trade volume between Malta and Turkey reached $1.124 billion in 2008.[4] This figure shows an increase of a 35% when compared with the preceding year.[4]
The Turkish–Maltese Business Council, and organisations with similar aims, give priority to promoting commercial linkages. This Council was established on September 7, 2007.[4][5][6]
As of 2008, 24 Turkish firms are operating in Malta, and the total capital of these firms are $1.3 billion.[4]
The maritime sector is one of the co-operation areas between the two countries.[7] Because Malta has one of the major ship repair facilities in the Mediterranean, and Turkey is emerging as an important shipbuilding and fleet owning country.[7]
Air Malta and Turkish Airlines signed a codeshare agreement in 2008.
An Agreement of Co-operation in Tourism between the two countries was signed on September 19, 1997.[4]
In 2008, more than 3,058 Maltese tourists visited Turkey.[4]
References
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malta – Turkey
- Turkey´s Political Relations with Malta / Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Thake, Conrad (1 February 2014). "The Ottoman Turkish cemetery a plea for its conservation". Malta Today. Archived from the original on 12 July 2018.
- Türkiye–Malta Ticari ve Ekonomik İlişkileri / T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı (in Turkish)
- EkoTurk News Agency (10 September 2007). "Business council aims to boost Malta-Turkey trade links". The New Anatolian.
- MaltaMedia News (September 7, 2007). "Turkish-Maltese Business Council set up". Maltamedia.
- Turkey´s Commercial and Economic Relations with Malta / Rep. of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs