KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Arab-Israel disagreement in Middle East and Palestinian issue which constituted the nucleus of this disagreement prevented the region from reaching lasting peace and stability for years and stated that Turkey, as a friend of both sides, was ready to exert every kind of efforts for peace process.
Erdogan, who is currently in Malaysia on an official visit, attended a dinner which was hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad in his honor.
Stating that Malaysia recorded very important progress in a short period, Erdogan said that Malaysia was a friendly country which had been watched closely by Turkey for years when this country continued its struggle for independence.
Erdogan said that relations between the two countries were always sincere and smooth and stated that there was still a potential in commercial and economic relations which was not used between the two countries. Erdogan added that he thought that it stemmed from Turkish and Malaysian business circles' not knowing well capacities and possibilities of each other.
Noting that there were also some similarities between the two countries, he said that Malaysia controlled Strait of Malacca region which was one of the most strategic places of southeastern Asia.
Erdogan said that Turkey also controlled Istanbul Strait which was one of the most important water way of the world and Eurasia crossroads which was the point uniting Asia, Europe and Middle East and stated that these special positions of the two countries would play an active role in reviving historical trade ways in Asia.
Noting that both Turkey and Malaysia were countries which attributed great importance to being elements of stability in their regions, Erdogan said that both countries gave priority to peace and security and they were exerting great efforts for continuation of those things.
Erdogan said that contributions of both countries to efforts for solving Bosnia-Herzegovina issue over which the world had concerns for years were a good example of cooperation in that field.
Stating that however, peace and security in the region where Turkey was located could not reach a lasting stability for nearly 90 years, Erdogan stressed that Arab-Israel disagreement in Middle East and Palestinian issue which constituted the nucleus of this disagreement prevented the region from reaching lasting peace and stability for years.
''Terror and violence which have been escalated in the region last years made difficult efforts for lasting peace. But, there is no other way apart from bringing this disagreement to a final solution which can be accepted by all sides. Israel's and Palestine's accepting immediately the road map which was presented to the sides is pleasing. The United States's showing determination on playing an active role in searching solution process which was restarted is also positive. The aim is to realize vision of Israel's and Palestine's living side by side as two states on secure and recognized borders. Turkey, as a friend of both sides, was ready to exert every kind of efforts for peace process,'' he noted.
Erdogan said that Iraq had the conditions of a new period after war and stated, ''We hope that Iraq will back full sovereignty within national unity and territorial integrity as soon as possible. All of us should help Iraqi people in this transition period.''
Touching on Cyprus issue, Erdogan stressed that Cyprus was a national cause for Turkey and stated that he believed that a new partnership could be established between two equal peoples on the ground of facts in the island.
''We assess that solution framework should be based on bi-zonal structure and it should take into consideration Turkish-Greek balance. We think that recent initiatives of Turkish side and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Rauf Denktas's proposals will help lack of confidence between sides which is an obstacle in front of a fair and lasting solution to be overcome, and contribute to relations to be normalized and bring a new acceleration to efforts for solution,'' Erdogan stated.
Stating that he hoped that Afghanistan would reach peace, stability and tranquility again, Erdogan said that Afghanistan should reach to the level of being a community which carried on its development on the path of democracy and which was cleared from terror and drug. He added that they supported fully efforts for restructuring of the country this way.
Noting that international terrorism was one of the biggest problems of the era, Erdogan said that Turkey attributed great importance to cooperation with its friends in fight against international terrorism and no one could fight against these problems alone.
Erdogan said that international cooperation was obligatory and added that existing cooperation with Malaysia which was a distinguished member of international community would be carried on.
Mohamad said in his part that he was very pleased with Erdogan's visit to his country and stated that this visit would further improve existing relations between the two countries.
(EÖ-AÖ) 13.06.2003