Leaders of Singapore and Turkey aim to finalize and sign the Turkey-Singapore Free Trade Agreement during the possible visit of Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu next year, a television channel quoted Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as saying on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters as he wrapped up his first official visit to Turkey, Lee said that he has invited his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu to visit Singapore next year, Channel NewsAsia reported.

Lee said relations between Singapore and Turkey are very good and there is scope for greater cooperation, particularly in air transport.

Singapore's Changi Airport and Istanbul's new international airport are both aiming to handle 150 million passengers annually each in the long-term, up from the current over 53 million for Singapore and 51 million for Istanbul.

"So I have suggested to the prime minister that we should enhance our ASA (air services agreement), increase the flights and increase the fifth freedom rights on both sides, so that you are not talking just between Singapore and Turkey, but beyond Turkey and beyond Singapore in both directions," he said.

Lee said Singapore companies are keen to explore opportunities in Turkey, and that the free trade agreement will be helpful.

Singapore and Turkey have agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to that of strategic partners. Singapore is now strategic partner for the United States, France and Vietnam and it has been announced that it will be strategic partner for Australia and India next year.

Lee will also be heading to Milan, Italy, where he will attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting. Endi

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