Erdoğan seeks to boost bilateral ties in Mexico

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan began his two day visit to Mexico on Thursday to enhance bilateral ties.

Erdoğan and his delegation arrived at the Juarez Military Airport in the capital Mexico City at 6.35 a.m., Turkish local time. Turkey's Ambassador to Mexico, Mustafa Oğuz Demiralp, and other senior officials received them at the airport.

Later, they were welcomed by Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto at an official ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, where the national anthems of both countries were played and Erdoğan was presented with a guard of honor.

Erdoğan also paid his respects at a national monument in the capital that was built in the memory of six children, who lost their lives while defending Mexico in a war in 1846-1847.

The president's delegation includes his wife Emine Erdoğan, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Mehdi Eker and Culture Minister Ömer Çelik.

The presidents of both countries are expected to hold a joint press conference following their one-on-one and delegation-level meetings.

Erdoğan will also visit the Matias Romero Institute and deliver a speech. Later, he is expected to meet Mexico's business community at a dinner. Boosting of relations between Turkey and Mexico has great importance for economic interests as it is an entrance door to North America market. According to the think-tank Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research Institute, trade volume between Turkey and Mexico was around $1.2 billion in 2013.

The president is also expected to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids on the second day of his visit.

In December 2013, President Enrique Pena Nieto visited Turkey on the invitation of former President Abdullah Gül.

Mexico is the last destination of the Turkish president's Latin America tour that seeks to boost business and cultural ties. Cuba was his second stop after Columbia.