VAN - British Ambassador in Ankara Peter Westmacott said on Monday that end of war and change of regime in Iraq was a very important opportunity for the region.
Westmacott visited Van Governor Hikmet Tan and got information about problems of the province. Westmacott said that he came to eastern province of Van to know better the region and introduce his country to provinces excluding Ankara.
Stating that there was an amazing religious and cultural variety in this region of Turkey, Westmacott said that more tourists should visit this region since there were many things which should be seen by visitors in Turkey and foreign countries.
Westmacott said that cooperation which continued to prevent human and drug smuggling between Turkey and Britain was very important and noted that Turkey had a position of transit country in every kind of illegal smuggling due to its geographical location, but he appreciated officials' efforts on that issue.
Westmacott later visited Van Mayor Sahabettin Ozarslaner.
Noting that he thought that end of war and change of regime in Iraq was a very important opportunity for the region, Westmacott said that many significant investments would be made in re-building process of Iraq. He added that it was also very important opportunity for the region.
Westmacott stated that governing of all peoples in Iraq with equal opportunities and Iraq's not being a shelter for terrorism anymore were significant developments for Turkey and the region.
Westmacott said that it was a fact that there was peace in the region and noted that situation after war in Iraq would also contribute to this positive development.
(EÖ-AÖ) 09.06.2003