ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Tuesday that he would visit Macedonia between July 1 and 2 as the official guest of his Macedonian counterpart Boris Trajkovski and then pay a visit to Croatia between July 3 and 4 as the guest of Croatian President Stjepan Mesic.
Prior to his departure for Macedonian capital Skopje, Sezer told reporters that ''they considered Macedonia an important country in maintenance of peace, stability and prosperity in the Balkans.''
Sezer said, ''we appreciate work of Macedonia to put into practice reforms foreseen in Ohrid Frame Agreement which ended crises and conflicts that occurred in this country in 2001. Our visit will help us once more confirm our efficient support to Macedonia.''
''There are rooted ties between Turkey and Macedonia stemming from our common history and culture. Since Macedonia gained its independence, relations between our countries have developed rapidly and groundwork of a strong cooperation has been laid. As it is known, Turkey recognizes Macedonia with its constitutional name ''Republic of Macedonia.'' Turkey has always supported Macedonia's integration with Euro-Atlantic organizations,'' Sezer noted.
Sezer stated that he would debate possibilities that could create new developments in the fields of economy and trade in order to improve relations and cooperation during his visit.
He would meet with representatives of kinsmen, who formed the strongest friendship between the two countries and who were the third biggest nation in Macedonia, receive information about expectations of kinsmen, Sezer said.
Sezer pointed out that the second stop of his visit, Croatia, was one of the countries of key importance for stability and security of the Balkans.
''I believe that exchanging views between Turkey and Croatia, two countries situated in the east and west ends of the region, about international and regional developments in every level will further improve regional stability and cooperation and contribute to acceleration of the integration process of regional countries with Euro-Atlantic organizations,'' Sezer said.
Sezer went on saying, ''Turkey is at the top of the countries which recognized Croatia after it gained its independence. Relations between Turkey and Croatia are settled on a strong ground. Our countries established closed contact and cooperation during the painful incident experienced in the Balkans some time ago. I will discuss with President Mesic how we can contribute to cooperation in our region and improvement of the cooperation between our countries.''
Besides developments in Southeastern Europe and regional cooperation projects, he would exchange views about regional and international countries concerning Turkey, Macedonia and Croatia during his visits, Sezer stated.
Sezer added, ''I wish my visit will contribute to creation of new opportunities to further improve sincere and friendly relations with these two countries and accelerate cooperation among our countries.''
(BRC-AÖ) 01.07.2003