Gul Rejected Claims That Erdogan's Visit To Iran Postponed In Line With Inculcation Of U.S. Ambassador

ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul rejected on Tuesday claims that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Iran was postponed in line with inculcation of U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelmen.
Replying to questions of reporters en route from Georgia to Turkey, Gul said that news that Erdogan's visit to Iran was postponed in line with Edelman's inculcation was inaccurate.
Gul noted that such a visit was on their agenda, but the date of the visit was not immediately clear.
Recalling that Iran was Turkey's neighbor, Gul said that there was a historical and reliable border between the two countries.
Gul said, ''every country has its own regime. Nobody should interfere with internal affairs of the other.''
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami would visit Turkey in following term, Gul stated.
Gul said, ''we have significant cooperation with Iran in fight against terrorism. We can take steps to further improve this cooperation. Therefore, we attach importance to Turkish-Iranian relations.''
When a reporter recalled that KADEK was not considered a terrorist organization in Iran, Gul said, ''it is true, but we expect Iran to consider it a terrorist organization soon.''
(BRC-AÖ) 16.09.2003