TURKEY ASKS RUSSIA TO STOP REBEL KURD ACTIVITIES
Anatolia news agency
1 Jun 06
Ankara, 1 June: Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul asked his
Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to support Turkey in its fight
against terrorism.
Gul and Lavrov had a dinner in the Turkish Foreign Minister’s Residence
yesterday.
According to diplomats, two foreign ministers exchanged views about
bilateral relations and regional topics, as well as Turkey’s EU
membership bid.
Lavrov welcomed measures Turkey has taken regarding the Caucasus,
while Gul asked Lavrov to extend support to Turkey’s fight against
the terrorist organization PKK [Kurdistan Workers’ Party]. He asked
that Russia take measures against illegal activities of the terrorist
organization on its territory.
The two ministers also discussed the so-called Armenian genocide
allegations, as well as Armenian-Azerbaijani controversy.
Diplomats quoted Lavrov as saying that “the Armenian allegations
are not a dominant factor in Turkish-Russian relations; although
it is important for the Armenians”. In the meeting, Lavrov said
“they (Russians) are against using such historical incidents as a
political tool.”
Supporting Turkey’s suggestion to set up a joint commission composed
of Turkish-Armenian historians to investigate the Armenian claims,
Lavrov said that they are ready to extend necessary support to Turkey
regarding this issue.
Meanwhile, Gul said that unless the controversy between Armenia and
Azerbaijan is settled before Azerbaijani elections, a solution may not
be reached within next five or 10 years. “Therefore, we hope Russia
will contribute to the settlement of the problem in the possible
shortest time,” he noted.
On the other hand, diplomats said that Russia plans to upgrade its
consulate in southern Turkish city of Antalya to a consulate general,
while Turkey thinks of opening a consulate general in St Petersburg.
In their meeting, Gul told Lavrov that he is thinking of participating
in “Paris Charter” meeting to be held in Russia on 27 July.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
