GUL SAYS HE IS HOPEFUL FOR SOLUTION OF IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM CRISIS
Anatolian Times
June 22 2006
BAKU – Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul,
who is currently in Azerbaijani capital Baku for the 33rd meeting of
foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC),
said that he was more hopeful for solution of the crisis related to
Iran’s nuclear program after he held talks yesterday.
Informing Turkish reporters on his bilateral talks in Baku, Gul
noted that Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Motaki and Turkish
authorities have been exerting efforts for solution of the problem
through diplomatic ways for a long time.
"Both European and also Russian officials encouraged us on this
matter. I extended utmost support for a diplomatic solution. Mr.
Prime Minister also did what was necessary," Gul stated.
-CYPRUS-
Noting that he considered OIC meeting an opportunity for Cyprus
issue, Gul stated that they informed Islam countries on this matter
once again.
Gul stressed that several countries expressed their support to thesis
of Turkey regarding Cyprus issue.
Underlining that there would be new approaches on Cyprus issue
in the final declaration to be released tomorrow, Gul said, "TRNC
(Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) and Russia attended the OIC
meeting as observes. They (TRNC and Russia) also held talks. This is
a good development."
-MEETING WITH ALIYEV-
Gul said that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and he discussed
Upper Karabakh issue in their meeting. "Azerbaijan is fully supported
in the meeting of OIC. He (Aliyev) is really glad. He said that OIC
is the one which extended the utmost support to his country."
-RELATIONS WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES-
Gul added, "we attach great importance to African countries. We want
to boost relations with those countries."