Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Tuesday he wants his country to step up cooperation with China at all levels, calling the two countries "natural partners".

Turkey and China are in a good position to overcome new challenges and pursue greater prosperity through cooperation, said Gul in an interview?in Ankara ahead of a state visit to China.

Thanks to their unique cultural identities, China and Turkey can better tackle threats to such common aspirations as security, harmony and prosperity, he told Xinhua.

The two countries have potentials to cooperate in solving international and regional issues like the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula and problems in the Middle East, the Caucasus and Africa, said Gul.

Turkey is currently a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, while China is a permanent member. Turkish UN ambassador is now chairman of the UN sanctions committee on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"The cooperation between Turkey and China is of importance, not only to our two countries, but also to the international community," Gul said.

Besides, the president said Turkey also values cooperation with China within the Group of 20, which includes the two and other 18 rich and emerging economies, to tackle financial instability, economic slumps and job losses.

"We believe that we need strong international action for the establishment of a new and fair international financial order," he noted.

Economic ties

On the bilateral front, the president said he plans to discuss with the Chinese leaders how to further cooperate in such fields as trade, economy, investments, energy and culture during his visit.

To develop trade and economic relations is one of Turkey's key economic policies towards China, said Gul, adding that a "fresh look" is needed in defining their economic relationships.

The president called for efforts to revitalize the Silk Road, the 2000-year-old routes connecting China and Europe via south and central Asian countries.

That would let both China and Turkey benefit from the latter's strategic geographic location as the link between the energy-rich central Asian and Middle East countries and major global markets, said Gul.

Official data from the Chinese side showed Sino-Turkish trade exceeded 12 billion US dollars in 2008, about 13 times of the 2001 level.

China is Turkey's largest trading partner in East Asia, but Turkey is concerned with its large trade deficit with China, Gul said, calling for more investment, tourists and business trips from China to reduce the imbalance.

The president said he would like to see a Chinese buyers' delegation to visit Turkey at the earliest opportunity and more investment from Chinese enterprises in the region.

Most of Turkey's potential as an investment destination has not been utilized by Chinese investors, especially in view of the vast economic capabilities of China, said Gul.

He described China's growth in the past 30 years of reform and opening-up as "impressive and breathtaking", saying he would like to extend "warm congratulations and best wishes" to the Chinese people for the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic of China.

President Gul is scheduled to visit China at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao from June 24 to 29.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2009)