Sezer: Middle East Should Be Saved From Being A Region Remembered By Problems

ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer welcomed on Tuesday Israeli President Moshe Katzav by a welcome ceremony.
Speaking in the ceremony, Sezer said that steps taken by sides recently to solve Israeli-Palestinian dispute raised hopes for peace and noted, ''the Middle East should be saved from being a region remembered by problems.''
Sezer stated that all dimensions of Turkish-Israeli relations would be taken up in meetings with Katzav and that they would debate initiatives to be launched to further improve economic and cultural relations.
They would exchange views about regional and international problems concerning the two countries, particularly the Middle East peace process, Sezer pointed out.
Sezer drew attention that Katzav's visit was paid in a sensitive period when significant developments were recorded in the Middle East.
''Negative developments in Israeli-Palestinian problem which has continued for almost three years made the two sides experience big pain. However, steps taken by sides recently to solve the dispute have raised hopes for peace. Past experiences showed that finding solution to problems through other means than peaceful methods is impossible,'' Sezer said.
Sezer added, ''reaching a rightful, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East can start a new period in the region and activate wide cooperation possibilities. The Middle East should be saved from being a region remembered by problems. As a country which has won confidence of both Israelis and Palestinians, Turkey is ready to make every kind of contribution to efforts for peace.''
Israeli President Katzav in his part said they targeted to further improve positive relations between the two countries, and stated that another target of the visit was to stress the importance which Israel attributed to European identity of Turkey.
Katzav thanked that both the Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Republic embraced Jewish people since 1492, and stated that relations between the two countries continued for long years basing on mutual respect.
Speaking about the recent developments in the Middle East, Katzav said everybody should take positive steps acting with the feeling of responsibility.
Katzav said Israel for long years did its best to provide peace with Egypt and Jordan, stating that they also did their best to install peace with Palestinian people.
Katzav referred to the statement of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas that terrorism would not bring an outcome, and thanked to Abbas. Katzav said they consider the terrorists and suicide bombers as their enemy, not Palestinians.
Stating that Israel attributed importance to improvement of relations with its neighbors, Katzav said he believed that cooperation with Turkey would bring benefit in providing of peace.
Katzav recalled that businessmen accompanied him, stating that this was important for improvement of economic relations.
(BRC-AY-AÖ) 08.07.2003