Ecuador, Turkey begin talks on trade agreement

Ecuador and Turkey on Tuesday began the first round of negotiations for a trade development agreement.

The negotiations started in the Turkish capital of Ankara, and talks were held between delegations of both countries, Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Ecuador intended to reach an agreement with favorable conditions for both sides as early as this year, Ecuador's chief negotiator Mentor Villagomez said.

"We encourage the agreement in order to boost bilateral exchange, for which there is great potential," Villagomez said in a statement.