Turkish P.M. Leaves For Russia

Turkish Press
July 17 2005

ISTANBUL – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan left on Sunday
for Russia.

Before he flew to Sochi, Russia, Erdogan told reporters that he
would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in dinner today, and in
breakfast tomorrow.

They would have the opportunity to discuss bilateral relations
between Turkey and Russia, which had been speeded up in recent years,
said Erdogan.

Erdogan noted that he would proceed to Mongolia after completing his
talks in Russia, and underlined historic importance of his trip to
Mongolia for being the first Turkish prime minister visiting this
country since June 24th, 1964.

PM Erdogan stated that he would meet president, parliament speaker
and prime minister of Mongolia, visit Orhun Monuments, and lay the
foundation of 40-kilometers of highway, connecting these monuments
with Karakurum city, with his Mongolian counterpart.

AZERBAIJANI-TRNC RELATIONS

Recalling that a group of Azerbaijani parliamentarians would
visit Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Erdogan said,
“during my recent visit to Azerbaijan, we discussed this matter with
President Ilham Aliyev. That day, he instructed his officials to start
direct flights, join celebrations in TRNC, and take several steps
for investments. And, this is the first step, we are very pleased
with it.”

Expressing belief that such steps would continue, Erdogan said,
“the decision made by the foreign ministers of Organization of the
Islamic Conference (OIC) member states in Yemen is not one that can
be ignored. They have recognized Turkish Cypriot State as an observer
member, and this is important. All member states have made a decision
to end isolation (of TRNC).”

UPPER KARABAKH PROBLEM

Asked if he would discuss Upper Karabakh dispute with Russian
President Putin, Erdogan said, “naturally, we will. As you know,
Russia is in the Minsk Group. I discussed this matter with Putin
in Moscow before. He said that they would extend every support they
could. This is an international problem, not a problem of one country
or a region. We hope we will solve it.”