ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Thursday, ''place of the Mediterranean Basin in new formations both in Europe and in the international platform has made relations between Turkey and Tunisia closer.''
President Sezer left for Tunisia on a two-day official visit as the guest of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia.
Holding a press conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, President Sezer recalled that President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia paid an official visit to Turkey in March of 2001.
Describing Tunisia as one of the important countries of Arab and Islam world, Mediterranean Basin and Africa, President Sezer said, ''there have been deep-rooted relations between Turkey and Tunisia on the basis of historical and cultural partnership. Also, there have been sincere and friendly feelings between Turkish and Tunisian peoples. Place of the Mediterranean Basin in new formations both in Europe and in the international platform has made relations between Turkey and Tunisia closer.''
''The level of our political relations with Tunisia increases our hope for future of bilateral cooperation. I believe that my visit to Tunisia would help efforts to further improvement of bilateral relations in every field on the basis of joint benefits of two friendly nations,'' he told reporters.
President Sezer noted, ''during my contacts with President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, bilateral relations will be taken up in detail. We will focus on efforts to further deepen our economic and commercial relations. President Ben Ali and I will exchange views regional and international issues including recent developments in Iraq and the Middle East peace process.''
President Sezer added that further improvement of friendly ties between Turkey and Tunisia would make an important contribution to peace, stability and cooperation in the region.
(UK-AÖ) 15.05.2003