Cihan News, Turkey
June 30 2004
Turkey: NATO Gain New Vision In Istanbul Summit
ISTANBUL (CIHAN) – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
on Tuesday NATO has gained new perspective and acceleration with the
Istanbul summit.
Erdogan recalled that Turkey first time successively hosted an NATO
summit in its 52-year old NATO membership.
The leaders of 26 member countries of NATO, its 20 partner countries
and two observer countries came togeter in Istanbul summit during
2-day summit.
Turkish Prime Minister asked forbiddance from the Turkish people who
faced hard time during the summit due to the massive security
measures. “Sure, there were certain difficulties but Turkey has
gained great prestige.” He said that he is not talking about the
organizational success but the hosting important NATO summit that is
on the verge of turning point in function of the NATO.
Stating that Islam culture and democracy culture, the tradition and
modernity, the history and future had met in Istanbul, Erdogan said
that Istanbul Summit witnessed the transformation process of NATO.
Erdogan said that the Istanbul Cooperation initiative which aims to
harmonized cooperation and consultation with the region countries, as
it was foreseen by the G-8 meeting and US-EU summit, has been put
into affect with Istanbul summit.
“NATO has gained new acceleration and perspective with the decision
taken in the Istanbul summit. The transformation of the NATO based on
the new capabilities, new partnerships and new operations areas.”
Turkish Prime Minister said that NATO first time issued an new vision
declaration since the London Summit in 1990.
Meeting in Istanbul on 28 and 29 June, NATO Heads of State and
Government expanded the Alliance`s presence in Afghanistan, agreed to
assist Iraq with training, launched a new partnership initiative and
adopted measures to improve NATO`s operational capabilities.
Erdogan said that the meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai was
historic. “The decision taken was sign of new era beginning. The
allies reached an consensus on Iraq. ”
Referring to the relations between Turkey and Armenia, Erdogan hoped
that the three party meeting between Armenia-Azerbaijan -Turkey would
bring beneficial outcomes in future.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül met with the Azerbaijan Foreign
Minister, Elmar Mamadyarov and the Armenian Foreign Minister, Vardan
Oskaryan within the framework of NATO Summit in Istanbul yesterday.
Gül made a statement after 45-minute talk and he said that the peace
and stability issue in Caucasians drawed attention of the
international community. “EU and NATO is creating a new strategy for
the Southern Caucasian and also a new strategic vision must be
developed.”
The Turkish Prime Minister said that the meeting showed the tolerance
between countries. Erdoðan said that win-win policy should be adopted
to reach a successful results.
Regarding the Turkish hostages in Iraq, Erdogan added that the main
reason of the terrorism is poverty. He said that he could not
understand why militants take the civilian people as hostages in
Iraq. “It is incomprehensible why they kidnap people.”
Three Turkish hostages, who were abducted last week in Iraq, were
released on Tuesday, Qatar based Al Jazeere satellite channel
reported on Tuesday.
Turkish workers who were working at a Turkish air-conditioner
company, were abducted by the militants of the Jama`at al-Tawhid and
Jihad which is linked with Abu Musab Al Zarkavi.
The captors had threatened to behead the Turkish hostages unless
Turkish construction firms operating in Iraq leave the country within
72 hours. The deadline for the hostages had expired today.