ANKARA - Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said on Wednesday that Turkey and India would further improve cooperation in fight against terrorism.
Speaking in a conference on ''Terrorism and Development'', Vajpayee noted that a joint working group was formed between foreign ministries of two countries regarding fight against terrorism.
Vajpayee stated that he took up how partnership of Turkey and India would be shaped up in the future during his meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey and India had many common features, Vajpayee said.
Vajpayee noted that fight against terrorism and settlement of regional peace and stability were prior issues for both countries.
Pointing out that terrorism was the most important item of international agenda, Vajpayee recalled that Turkey and India had learned about terrorism long before September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States.
Vajpayee said that Turkey and India had a consensus of opinion on definition of terrorism and agreed that there should not be double standard in fight against terrorism.
All the world faced a danger that weapons of mass destruction could be obtained by the terrorists, Vajpayee noted.
Vajpayee stated that two countries were of the same opinion on necessity of international cooperation to solve that matter.
Turkey and India were in cooperation in fight against terrorism, Vajpayee stressed.
Vajpayee said that two countries aimed to further improve their cooperation in fight against terrorism.
A protocol was signed to form a joint working group to deal with fight against terrorism, Vajpayee pointed out.
Vajpayee said that every country should fulfil its responsibilities.
Stating that international organizations like the United Nations should become more efficient, Vajpayee said that Turkey and India could work together.
Vajpayee stressed importance of preservation of regional peace and stability and said that two countries could play an important role in settlement of peace and stability in their region.
Cooperation between Turkey and India was for the benefit of regional and global peace, Vajpayee said.
Vajpayee noted that he and Erdogan reached a consensus that foreign ministers of two countries should have a regular meeting and other ministers should be in contact.
Two countries could make use of bilateral, regional and global cooperation opportunities that way, Vajpayee added.
(BRC) 17.09.2003