SINGAPORE, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Singapore is keen to begin exploratory talks on a free trade agreement with Turkey, local media reported on Saturday.

Foreign Minister K Shanmugam will bring up the issue on a three- day official visit to Turkey, the reports said.

He said there will be tremendous opportunities for Turkey to tap into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is on track to create an economic community by 2015.

Shanmugam's visit to Turkey is the first in 26 years by a Singapore foreign minister.

Singapore has been trying to negotiate free trade talks with other economies recently. It is the first country in Southeast Asia to conclude free trade deals with the European Union and is pushing for a Southeast Asian economic community.

January 5, 2012

Source: Xinhua

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