Anadolu Agency:
6/29/2004

Erdogan: Turkey Accomplished A Very Difficult Mission Hosting Nato
Summit

ISTANBUL – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on
Tuesday that Turkey accomplished a very difficult mission by hosting
NATO Summit in Istanbul.

Erdogan who held a news conference following the NATO Summit stated
that Turkey accomplished a very important mission by hosting NATO
Summit. He said that heads of state and government who attended the
summit shared a similar view as well.

Erdogan said that Turkey represented a synthesis between Islam
culture and democracy, between traditionality and modernism and
between the past and the future, and stressed that this summit showed
once again that Turkey was a powerful light of hope for dialogue
between civilizations and cultures.

Underlining that Istanbul Summit pointed to a critical aspect in
NATO`s transformation process, he said that decisions taken in the
summit would be a historical turning point for the future, world
peace and stability.

Erdogan said that decisions on extension of NATO mandate in
Afghanistan to areas beyond Kabul, upon the demand of central
government to support elections that would be held in this country,
were confirmed in the NATO Summit.

He said: “It has been decided to end NATO operation in Bosnia
Herzegovina at the end of the year and assist the EU that is going to
undertake a new operation there in light of achievements in this
country. A new package of measures like enhancement of capabilities
for prevention of possible chemical, biological and nuclear attacks
and exchange of intelligence including several measures in fight
against terrorism.

It has been decided to initiate work on removal of logistic and
financial difficulties which restrict participation of member nations
in NATO operations and to provide capabilities which are determined
to be necessary to fight new threats.

It has been stressed that accession of seven new countries would not
be the last expansion and that the Alliance`s open-door policy would
be preserved.

It has been decided to give priority to Caucasian and Central Asian
countries within the NATO`s partnership relations.

The `Istanbul Cooperation Initiative` which the leaders decided to
carry out in full partnership and consultation with the regional
countries in line with the approaches at the G-8 meeting and U.S.-EU
summits has been put into practice. It has been decided to improve
the existing Mediterranean Dialogue by preserving its peculiar
identity in parallel to the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.

In accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1546 and in line
with the Iraqi interim government`s demand, it has been decided that
NATO will undertake a role in the training of Iraqi security forces
and a domestic study will be initiated regarding supplementary
steps.“

Erdogan added, “in line with all these decisions, we clearly see
that the NATO`s transformation process that is built on new
capabilities, new partnerships and operations has gained a new
horizon and been accelerated at Istanbul summit. This visionary
quality of the Istanbul summit was actually mentioned also in the
Istanbul Declaration that was adopted at the summit. Releasing of
such a statement in addition of its content for the first time since
the London summit in 1990 that was held shortly after end of the Cold
War, affirms the importance of the Istanbul summit.“

ERDOGAN: “WE HAVE INITIATED A PROCESS BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN“

Erdogan said that they had initiated a negotiation process between
Armenia and Azerbaijan during the 17th NATO Summit in Istanbul.

Erdogan said, “I held talks with Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan of
Armenia during the summit. I also had the chance of bringing Oskanyan
and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan together. Meanwhile, Foreign
Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul has initiated a
process by bringing together foreign ministers of Armenia and
Azerbaijan.“

“We want a solution to be found to Azerbaijan-Armenia dispute on the
basis of the understanding of win-win. However, wishes are not enough
at all. The most important thing is to come to a conclusion,“ he
said.

Upon a question, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey would
undertake command of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
in Afghanistan in the February-August period of 2005, adding that
details would be clarified in the coming days.

JOINT STATEMENT ON IRAQ IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE FOR TURKEY

Erdogan said this statement was also very important as allies who
went through a difficult period during Iraq crisis put forth a
consensus on Iraq issue.

“The statement on Iraq includes noteworthy observations on general
situation in Iraq and principles that should be complied with,“
Erdogan noted.

Erdogan said that the statement`s underlining clearly that terrorist
activities stemming from Iraq threatened neighbor countries, and
security of the region was of great importance for Turkey.

Recalling that Afghan President Hamid Karzai also attended
Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) meeting, Erdogan said,
“especially the meeting with Karzai is a historical one. This
meeting was very beneficial and constructive, as it showed
Euro-Atlantic group`s commitment toward the future of Afghanistan.
This issue appeared clearly both in NATO meetings and also in
bilateral meetings.“

Erdogan noted that this summit also contributed to European Union
(EU) countries` approach toward Turkey`s EU membership.

In regard to Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
Abdullah Gul`s holding a trilateral meeting on Monday with Foreign
Minister Elmar Memmedyarov of Azerbaijan and Foreign Minister Vartan
Oskanyan of Armenia, Erdogan said that he hoped that foreign
ministers` decision to continue to hold such meetings would
contribute to regional stability and solution of regional issues.

Noting that he had had the opportunity of holding a series of
bilateral meetings during the summit, Erdogan said that he had
reviewed bilateral and Turkey-EU relations with the Italian, Spanish
and Slovenian prime ministers.

Recalling that he had held a detailed meeting separately with
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and
Afghan Head of State Hamid Karzai, Erdogan said that he had met with
French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard
Schroeder prior to last night`s banquet and held a brief exchange of
opinions. Erdogan said that he had held several meetings with all
heads of state and government during NATO meetings.

Erdogan added that the Istanbul summit was a well-timed, beneficial
and successful meeting in terms of steering the NATO`s future,
Turkey`s promotion and bringing importance of Turkey to the
forefront.

ERDOGAN: “SEMINARY ISSUE WAS DISCUSSED DURING MY MEETINGS AT
SUMMIT“

Erdogan said that reopening of the seminary on Heybeliada island in
Istanbul had been discussed at some of his meetings he held within
framework of the NATO Istanbul summit.

Erdogan held a press conference after end of the summit and answered
questions of reporters.

Asked whether the seminary issue had been brought onto the agenda,
Erdogan said, “yes, the seminary was brought onto the agenda and I
said that our study on the issue had been under way. As you know that
the real source of the problem was its closure in 1971 under a
constitutional court decision. Our relevant institutions have been
conducting necessary study on the issue. We will act according to the
result of the study, but we seek if there are any other ways out.“

Erdogan said that he had also met with Greek Prime Minister Costas
Caramanlis during the summit and it was a very positive and sincere
meeting.

Asked of his opinions about use of tear gas by police against
demonstrators who protested NATO summit, Erdogan said, “policemen
fulfilled their duty while civil organizations used their democratic
rights.“

Erdogan said that policemen fulfilled their tasks successfully at the
point of deterrence.

Replying to a question on Turkey`s European Union (EU) membership
process, Erdogan noted that they approached the EU from the point
that there was not any problem regarding negotiation process.

Erdogan said that Turkey took very important steps on its membership
process, stressing that they expected the report on Turkey that would
be announced by the EU Commission in October would be positive.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress