Brussels, 23/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - Problems arising for Turkey from customs union with the EU and the question of visas for Turkish businessmen were the focus of discussion, in Brussels on Tuesday 22 June, between the Turkish trade minister, Zafer Caglayan, and the European commissioner for trade, Karel De Gucht. Caglayan pointed to the commercial problems Turkey has been facing with member states, saying that the customs union with the EU, which took effect on 1 January 1996, was signed “erroneously”. “For instance, many countries, such as Mexico and Algeria, have been dragging their feet to sign free-trade agreements with Turkey because they have the right to make duty-free exports to Turkey as they signed free-trade agreements with the EU”, the Turkish minister explained in comments relayed by the national press agency, Anadolu. During a press conference at the Turkish mission to the EU, on Tuesday, Caglayan pointed to the importance of the Turkish economy, the fifth destination for EU exports, and seventh EU provider in terms of imports. In total, 57.8% of Turkey's trade is with the EU. (E.H./transl.jl)