TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS TURKEY SPREADING PEACE IN WIDE GEOGRAPHY

Anadolu Agency
April 1 2009
Turkey

BRUSSELS (A.A) – 01.04.2009 – The Turkish foreign minister said on
Tuesday that Turkey was trying to spread peace, stability and welfare
in a wide geography.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said that Turkey was trying
to spread peace, stability and welfare in a wide geography including
the Middle East, Caucasus, Central Asia, Balkans and North Africa.

"Turkey is also promoting European Union (EU) values like democracy,
fundamental rights, and free market economy," Babacan said during a
dinner with the members of the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee
(JPC) in Brussels.

Babacan said Turkey had been pursuing policy of "zero problem with
neighbors", and it had recorded great progress in bilateral relations
with Syria, Iran and Georgia.

Turkey had also ensured partial betterment in its problems with Greece,
stemming from history, the minister said.

Babacan said that the process launched between Turkey and Armenia in
September 2007 became public with President Abdullah Gul’s visit to
Armenia, and continued with talks between ministers.

"We are pleased with the process, and they are saying that they are
also pleased. We have seized a good chance for solution of problems,"
he said.

Babacan also said that the opportunity seized in Cyprus should not
be missed, and committed that Turkey would support any comprehensive
settlement approved by Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

The minister said that the two parties in Cyprus "should apply to an
arbitrator" on issues they could not reach any compromise, instead of
"negotiating them forever."

Babacan later departed Brussels for Turkey.

The task of the JPC is to deliberate on all matters relating to
Turkey’s relations with the European Communities, in particular on
the basis of the annual report of the Association Council.

In accordance with the practice established in November 1989, the Joint
Parliamentary Committee has also dealt with specific cases of alleged
human rights violations at the request of the EP Subcommittee on Human
Rights, in the presence of relevant Turkish ministers and authorities.

The EU-Turkey JPC normally meets twice a year, alternately in Turkey
and in one of the workplaces of the European Parliament. (BRC-MS)

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress