TURKISH PREMIER SAYS USA DIDN’T ASK FOR WARSHIPS TO PASS THROUGH TURKISH STRAITS
Anatolia news agency
Aug 20 2008
Turkey
Istanbul, 20 August: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan left
Istanbul for Azerbaijan on Wednesday [20 August].
Erdogan will assess the recent developments in the region with
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
Holding a press conference at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport prior to his
departure, Erdogan said that he would discuss Caucasus stability and
cooperation platform, which was a project he proposed to find solution
to the problems in the region.
The recent situation in Georgia showed the necessity to restore peace,
stability and security in Caucasus, Erdogan said.
"Turkey also has a vital interest in this issue. I believe that
implementation of a mechanism which contributes to the common interests
of the region is important," he said.
Regarding his visits to Moscow and Tbilisi, Erdogan said that he
conveyed his views to officials that Caucasus stability and cooperation
platform was a project that could fully settle sustainable peace,
security and stability. Erdogan said that both Russian and Georgian
officials told him that they could take part in such a platform.
Upon a question, Erdogan said that they would also hold meetings
with Armenian officials regarding Caucasus stability and cooperation
platform. He added that Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan would
also meet with the Russian foreign minister this week regarding the
issue. Erdogan said that after Babacan’s meeting, the details of the
visit to Armenia would be shaped up.
Regarding energy issue, Erdogan said that initiatives were launched for
transfer of natural gas to Turkey from south to eliminate difficulties
which sometimes emerged between Turkey and Iran in winter.
When asked about news reports claiming that two US vessels, which
wanted to go to Georgia, were not permitted to pass from the
Straits, Erdogan said that no request had been made to Turkey so
far regarding the issue. He added that if such a request was made,
relevant institutions and the government discussed it in a detailed
way, and then made a decision.
Foreign Minister Babacan is accompanying Erdogan.