RUSSIAN, TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTERS PRAISE BILATERAL REALTIONS

Anatolia news agency, Ankara,
1 Nov 2006

Moscow, 1 November: "We attach great importance to the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) since it was founded 15 years ago upon
initiatives of Turkey," said Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime
Minister Abdullah Gul on Wednesday [1 November].

Holding a news conference following his meeting with Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov, Gul said: "Istanbul-based BSEC was founded
15 years ago upon initiatives of Turkey. Since it includes Balkan
and Caucasian countries besides the Black Sea littoral countries,
BSEC plays an important role in providing stability and security in
the region."

"During today’s meeting, an agreement envisaging the construction of
a road along the Black Sea was opened to signature. If this project
is put into practice, economic and social aspects of the Black Sea
will be changed considerably," he said.

Gul recalled that BSEC heads of state and government summit would be
held in Istanbul during Turkey’s presidency.

He said that he had the opportunity of holding bilateral talks with
his Georgian, Romanian and Albanian counterparts.

Referring to his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, Gul
told reporters: "We exchanged views over our bilateral relations
as well as political and economic cooperation. Trade volume between
Turkey and Russia exceeded 15bn US dollars this year. We hope that
the trade volume will reach up to 20bn dollars by the end of the
year. Our trade target for 2008 is 25bn dollars. Turkish companies’
investments in Russia reached 4bn dollars. Also, Turkish firms have
undertaken projects worth of 18bn dollars in Russia."

"Turkey and Russia consider that Cyprus issue should be solved under
the roof of the UN," said Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime
Minister Abdullah Gul on Wednesday.

Holding a news conference following his meeting with Russian Foreign
Minister Sergey Lavrov, Gul noted, "Russia thinks that the UN should
be strengthened further. We are glad about it. Russian President
(Vladimir) Putin and other Russian authorities consider that commercial
relations between [self-declared] TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus) and Russia should be boosted." Gul stated that representatives
from TRNC Chamber of Trade visited Russia last week and held several
talks there.

Replying to a question, Gul said: "Lavrov and he also discussed
Armenian issue. Lavrov welcomed Turkey’s proposal that a history
commission should be formed. He said that he would exert efforts on
this issue."

Responding to another question on tension between Russia and Georgia,
Gul underlined that Turkey considered that such matters should be
solved through peaceful means and dialogue.

Answering a question on energy security, he noted, "there has been a
great cooperation in the area of energy – especially in natural gas
and oil – between Turkey and Russia."

When he was reminded of criticisms from some EU countries that the pace
of EU reforms has slowed down in Turkey, Gul stated: "Such criticisms
are not true. The Turkish government is aware of the fact that EU
negotiation process will bring many favourable things to Turkey. The
government and the parliament are working night and day.

We have been fulfilling political reforms for our people. We have a
great determination to continue this process."

Replying to a question on establishment of Pushkin University in
Turkey and Turkish Culture House in Russia, Gul said: "Year 2007
will be a Russian culture year in Turkey and 2008 will be a Turkish
culture year in Russia. There will be such proposals which will
boost relations between the two countries. We will exert efforts to
strengthen cultural relations."