Erdogan: We Are In Favor Of Peaceful Solution Of Kashmir Issue

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that they were in favor of peaceful solution of Kashmir issue and international legitimacy in the region, adding, ''we have always stated that we are in favor of a just solution. At this point, it is impossible to want a solution on basis of oppression.''
Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali held a joint press conference after their meeting.
Jamali said he was grateful to Erdogan's efforts to recover relations between Turkey and Pakistan, which had been soured in last two years, and said they had discussed development of bilateral commercial relations and taken up issues of Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Kashmir and Palestine.
Stressing importance of cooperation of two Muslim countries Turkey and Pakistan in the 21st century, Jamali said that they had also signed agreements on ''bilateral land transportation'', ''cooperation in fight against smuggling of illicit drugs'' and ''cooperation in field of environment''.
Noting that they had decided to come together in prime ministerial level each year either in Turkey or in Pakistan, Jamali said that such meetings accelerated and consolidated bilateral relations.
Jamali added that they had decided to increase number of Turkish Airlines (THY) flights to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Jamali and he had taken very important steps during their meeting.
Noting that this is his first visit to Pakistan, Erdogan said he was very pleased to be in that country with which they have hold meetings frequently.
Noting that there was a very deep brotherhood that had strong roots in history between the two countries, Erdogan said Pakistan acted in international community together with Turkey.
Recalling that Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul had been sent to Pakistan due to a sourness that occurred before the November 3 general elections in Turkey, Erdogan said now he was paying a visit to Pakistan together with ministers, businessmen and reporters.
Stressing that Pakistan was an important power for peace, stability and security in the region, Erdogan said Pakistan was important for fight against international terrorism and radical extreme movements. Erdogan said that they closely followed the progress recorded in Pakistan on democratization path.
Stating that his government wanted to develop relations with Pakistan in every field, Erdogan said that also the Pakistani side had the same opinion.
Erdogan said that in addition to visits in prime ministerial level each year, they had decided to consolidate bilateral relations with mutual visits of ministers and deputy prime ministers.
Recalling that the trade volume between the two countries in last decade had been 156 million U.S. dollars, Erdogan stressed that this was beyond reflecting the real potential.
Erdogan said that they would give the start for necessary work on increase in number of THY flights to Pakistan.
Stating that they expected a more powerful economic partnership with Pakistan and they had been expending much efforts to this end, Erdogan said the two countries could cooperate especially in dam construction and defense industry.
Noting that he had told Jamali that he wished the process of dialogue which had recently been initiated between Pakistan and India for solution of Kashmir issue would bring concrete results including Kashmir between the two countries, Erdogan said, ''I believe that both the new administration in India and this democratic understanding in Pakistan would be effective in recovery of this issue.''
Erdogan added that he had invited Jamali to Turkey.
Later, Erdogan answered questions of reporters.
Replying a question, Erdogan said that bilateral relations on sectoral basis in field of defense were under way.
When asked about Turkey's approach to Kashmir issue, Erdogan said they were in favor of peaceful solution of the issue and international legitimacy.
''We have always stated that we are in favor of a just solution. At this point, it is impossible to want a solution on basis of oppression,'' the Prime Minister said.
Replying another question, Erdogan said that he had not yet brought onto the agenda the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus's (TRNC) membership to the Organization of Islamic Conference.
When whether or not he welcomed existence of Pakistani troops in Iraq, Erdogan said that postwar process was the real tough period in Iraq. Erdogan said during this process, census and general elections should be made and the constitution should be written, and after this process, the foreign elements in Iraq should leave this country to Iraqi people.
Stressing that they would especially want existence of Pakistani forces in the region, Erdogan added, ''we are pleased with existence of Pakistani forces in every region including Iraq during this process.''

STATEMENT OF PRIME MINISTER ERDOGAN TO MALAYSIAN NEWSPAPER: ''MILITARY RESPECTS DEMOCRACY''

ANKARA - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that when politicians create vacuum in democratic process, military filled this, and stated that military respected democracy and citizenship rights.
Erdogan made a statement to New Straits Times, the newspaper published in Malaysia, during his visit to this country.
Erdogan said if politicians created vacuum in democratic process, this was filled by military. He said, ''if you create vacuum, this will be filled by somebody. Military has priority. Military respects democracy and citizenship rights.''
Erdogan said Turkey worked very hard to start full membership negotiations with the EU at the end of 2004, adding that, ''Turkey is on the way to provide stability and democracy. It is not right to say that we have full stability, yet we exert efforts to this end and we will succeed in this.''
Erdogan said making an Islamic revolution in Turkey was out of question.
Stating that Turkey favored a ''fair and lasting'' solution on Cyprus issue, Erdogan said they supported the ''openings'' pioneered by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).
Erdogan said Turkey always favored removal of embargo, adding that he conveyed the views regarded with encouraging the two sides on the island, to Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos, yet that the response was not positive.
Erdogan said they wanted to see TRNC as a full member of the OIC, instead of an observer member, yet added that they expected support of Malaysia in this respect.
Erdogan said he talked with Malaysian Prime Minister about the issue, and that he had a positive view on the issue.
Responding to a question about Turkey's relations with its neighbors, Erdogan said they favored new friendships, not new hostilities.
Erdogan said, ''we review relations with out neighbors,'' and added that they evaluated ways to improve relations with neighbors including Iran and Syria.
Speaking about the Middle East problem, Erdogan said he always told the Israeli and Palestinian sides that Turkey was ready to be a ''mediator'', and recalled that he proposed the sides and the United States to hold the first peace conference in Turkey.
Erdogan said the road map could be successful on condition that it is implemented by the two sides.
(GC-MS-AY-AÖ) 16.06.2003