Maduro to meet Erdogan in Turkey to 'enhance relations'

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will visit Turkey on Wednesday as part of a two-day official visit upon the invitation of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish government announced.  

"All aspects of Turkey-Venezuela relations will be reviewed and steps to enhance the relations will be discussed during the visit," the Turkish government said. "The two leaders are expected to exchange views on regional and global matters as well."

Turkey is one of the few countries around the world that maintains ties with the Maduro regime, despite tight sanctions against the South American country by other governments.

In 2018, Erdogan was the first Turkish president to officially visit the South American country. 

Since then, Turkey has increased the number of products it exports to Venezuela, including food and hygiene products. Venezuela has also sold gold to Turkey, although the specific amount has not been disclosed, reported Reuters.

In April, during a visit to Venezuela by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkey and the Latin American country signed seven agreements.

Currently, the trade between the two countries amounts to $850 million. However, Cavusoglu has said that he intends trade to reach $1.5 billion annually.