ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had telephone conversations with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Sunday.
Prime Ministry Press Center issued a statement and said Erdogan called Abbas by phone at 11.30 local time today.
Erdogan said Turkey appreciated reform efforts of the Palestinian administration, and noted that Turkey strongly supported new peace process stated in the Road Map.
The statement said, ''Prime Minister Erdogan stated that Turkey was pleased over the meetings held in Sharm el Sheikh and Aqaba with the initiatives of U.S. President Bush. Prime Minister Erdogan stressed that fight against terrorism and betterment of living conditions of Palestinian people should have priority. Erdogan stressed that Turkey was determined to help solution efforts based on two-states within the secure and recognized borders.''
Palestinian Prime Minister Abbas in his part thanked Erdogan and noted that he would send Palestinian Foreign Minister to Turkey soon. Abbas said he would later visit Turkey, stating that those contacts would yield in positive results.
The statement said Abbas pointed out that he was sure that Turkey would support Palestine as it happened in the past.
The statement said Abbas stated that Sharm al Sheikh and Aqaba meetings were beneficial, and that they would continue talks with Israel and brief about the developments.
Prime Minister Erdogan also expressed sorrow over the incident that happened in Gaza Strip killing four Israeli citizens and three Palestinians.
The statement said Erdogan later called Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the phone.
The statement said, ''Israeli Prime Minister pointed out that Turkish-Israeli relations were in a satisfactory level, and that they hope further improvement of relations. Sharon stated that Turkey was at an important position in providing of stability in the region and invited Prime Minister Erdogan to Israel. Sharon said they had an important meeting in Aqaba, and that they hoped to record progress in peace process. He said this depended on interruption of terrorism.''
The statement said Prime Minister Erdogan expressed sorrow over the incidents happened in Gaza Strip and also expressed his condolences. He said terrorism would not have religion, race and geography, and that nobody would accept killing of innocent people.
The statement said, ''Prime Minister Erdogan stated that situation in the Middle East was one of the issues that have priority for Turkey, noting that Turkey wished stability and welfare to prevail in the Middle East. He said Turkey was pleased over approval of Road Map and that Turkey strongly supported it.''
The statement said Prime Minister Erdogan also stated that Turkey wished terrorism to end in the Middle East, peace to prevail in the region, and fulfillment of a lasting and just solution. Sharon in his part thanked, and stated that if any conference would take place about Middle East problem, it should take place in Turkey. Sharon also invited Erdogan to Israel.
(AY-BRC) 08.06.2003