Turkey and Germany on Saturday signed a protocol for development of cooperation between the two countries in the field of railway, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim and German Minister for Transportation, Construction and Housing Wolfgang Tiefensee signed the protocol.

Speaking at the signature ceremony at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, Yildirim said that the protocol covers development of cooperation in fields of railway construction, management and technical education.

"Germany is number one trade partner of Turkey but there is always the potential to take the relationship one step further," noted Yildirim.

Yildirim added that he is expecting successful continuation of Turkey's European Union (EU) negotiation process especially in transportation issues during Germany's presidency of the EU.

Wolfgang Tiefensee, on his part, said that as transportation ministers of both countries, they will do everything they can for Turkey's EU membership.

Germany is Turkey's largest trade partner. Trade volume between the two countries has reached 21 billion U.S. dollars in 2005.

Source: Xinhua