TUNISIA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Thursday night that the relations between Turkey and Tunisia reached a very good level.
President Sezer and his wife Semra Sezer attended the dinner hosted by Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in their honour.
Addressing the dinner, Sezer said that there were very friendly relations between the two countries based on cooperation. Noting that the relations between the two countries reached a very good level and that three visits at the presidential level took place in the last four years, President Sezer said that he was pleased to pay his first visit abroad to Tunisia in 2003.
Tunisia was the stability factor in its region, said President Sezer and noted that the transformation started under the leadership of Tunisian President Ben Ali would be an example for many countries.
President Sezer pointed out that the Middle East problem could not have a lasting and equitable solution for 50 years, adding ''we are sad because terrorist activities and the excessive use of force by Israel further escalated violence. The protection of Palestinian people's legitimate rights and Palestine's getting the place it deserves in the international society is among the priorities of the Turkish foreign policy. The presentation of the 'road map' to the sides after Mahmoiud Abbas's undertaking the task of prime ministry and the government's starting office by getting vote of confidence has increased the hopes for peace. Both sides' acting in common sense and their making cooperation with good will to end the clashes carries great importance. We think that this opportunity should not be missed. Turkey is ready to contribute to peaceful solution of the conflict. We also praise the constructive efforts of Tunisia in this regard.''
Making evaluations about Iraq, Sezer said, ''Turkey attributes a special importance to the protection of territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of its neighbor Iraq. We wish a democratic administration, which owns political integrity and controls its own resources, is formed as soon as possible in Iraq after the war. Transferring administration to Iraqi people should be given priority after security and stability were settled and basic humanitarian needs were provided in Iraq. We hope that Iraqi people, who have been suffering from big difficulties for long years, will reach the tranquility and prosperity that they deserve in a close future.''
Emphasizing that Turkey and Tunisia were two brother and friend countries which adopted contemporary values in Europe-Mediterranean basin and they shared the aim of establishing a joint future in which peace and stability would prevail, Sezer said, ''I think we should develop our economical and commercial relations within the direction of the requirements of globalization and regional integrity movements by reflecting rich facilities of our countries.''
Sezer said, ''I wish the meetings in Tunisia will open new prospects in our bilateral relations.''
Ben Ali, in his part, expressed his pleasure with the visit of Sezer. He said, ''I would like to say that we are honored for your visit to your second country Tunisia.''
Noting that friendship and brotherhood between the peoples of two countries had a long past, Ben Ali emphasized that relations between Turkey and Tunisia were continuously developing. He said that delegations of two countries made positive and productive studies in commercial and economic issues and those studies would accelerate relations and open new prospects. He added, ''We are sure that your visit will be an important station in our joint life journey. Our relations will further deepen by getting stronger. My wish is that the cooperation between two countries will continue in the direction of joint interests.''
Touching on the developments in Middle East, Ben Ali emphasized that they were supporting Iraqi people as a country. He said, ''protecting territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq will keep the peoples of region away from dangers and wars.''
Noting that the violence in the region affected Palestinians and they were worried and uneasy about this violence, Ben Ali said that Tunisia supported and would continue to support Palestinian people all the time.
Ben Ali said that they, as Tunisia, condemned and were against terror and fanaticism and he invited all the countries for holding a Fight Against International Terrorism Conference under the auspices of the United Nations.
(ÖS-GC-AÖ) 16.05.2003