PRESIDENT SEZER: WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO COOPERATION IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

Turkish Press
Nov 20 2006

ANTALYA – "We attach great importance to cooperation in the fight
against terrorism and the other threats that jeopardize development
of our region," Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday.

Making the opening remarks of the 8th Summit of Heads of State &
Government of Turkish-Speaking Countries in the southern Turkish
city of Antalya, President Sezer said, "our countries have a sound
position in the international platform as the states that successfully
consolidate peace and stability in their region."

"Our world has been living through a period of important changes.

Global changes also affect our region and countries. We need to pursue
long-term policies in this period without losing our own values,"
he said.

President Sezer noted, "our countries have the necessary will to
further improve their relations and cooperation on the basis of mutual
respect, equality and joint interests. Our relations have been based
on the principle of equality."

Referring to economic and commercial relations, President Sezer said,
"we encourage our businessmen to speed up their investments in Turkic
republics. Also, we are pleased to see businessmen of those countries
investing in Turkey. On the other hand, Aktau-Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil
pipeline has been officially inaugurated as a result of our mutual
confidence, cooperation and determination. We are planning to open
Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline by the end of this year."

"One of the most prior targets of Turkish foreign policy is to make
Eurasia a geography of stability and cooperation. However, existing
problems obstruct regional stability and cooperation. Creation of an
atmosphere of peace, prosperity and cooperation in southern Caucasus
depends on finding a peaceful solution to the Upper Karabakh dispute
within the framework of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity. We will
continue supporting Azerbaijan to this end," he stressed.

President Sezer added, "besides international terrorism, fundamentalist
and separatist movements, illegal migration, illicit drugs and weapons
trafficking and the other organized crimes jeopardize development
of Eurasia. Turkey has suffered from terrorism for long years. Any
kind of terrorism cannot be justified. Therefore, we attach great
importance to cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the
other threats that jeopardize development of our region."