Erdogan Returns To Turkey

Turkish Press
July 22 2005

ANKARA – Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who completed his four-day
trip to Russia and Mongolia returned to Turkey on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at Esenboga Airport about his visit to Russia and
Mongolia, Erdogan said that his visit to both countries was fruitful.

Erdogan said he met Russian President Vladimir Putin twice, and they
confirmed once again the pleasure over rapid development of bilateral
relations and exchanged views about international developments.

“We also discussed the opportunity of developing our relations in line
with the goal of having a multidimensional partnership. Our meetings
with Mr. Putin has also given the opportunity of taking new cooperation
steps like common projects;–transfer of energy resources–development
of bilateral trade volume and making cooperation in international
platforms like UN and World Trade Organization. Besides the countries’
having similar points of view about issues which concern regional
security and stability like lifting of the blockade on TRNC and Upper
Karabakh problem is important,” Erdogan said.

Referring to his visit to Mongolia, Erdogan said that he paid the
first visit to Mongolia as the Turkish Prime Minister after 36 years
following the foundation of diplomatic relations with Mongolia.
Erdogan said they signed agreements and protocols on cooperation
between industry and trade ministries of Turkey and Mongolia and
cultural exchange issues during his meetings in Mongolia.

Erdogan said he also attended the groundbreaking ceremony of an
important highway which would connect Karakurum city to the region
where Orhun Monuments were located. He said the motorway which was
constructed by Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and
Turkish contractors would finish in Sept-Oct at the latest.

-REMARKS OF GEN. BASBUG-

When asked if he would meet Turkish President Sezer and Chief of
General Staff Gen. Ozkok about a cross-border operation against
terrorist organization PKK –after the remarks of Gen. Basbug– and
how long could Turkey be patient against the escalating terrorist
activities in the country, Erdogan said they would discuss the issue
both in the cabinet and with other concerned units and take the
necessary steps.

“But turning the issue into an extraordinary situation will be a
wrong approach, this is not in question,” Erdogan said.

Upon another question, Erdogan said that the government worked on
establishment of Anti-Terrorism Institution.

Answering another question, Erdogan said general amnesty was not
in question.