NEW YORK - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in New York to participate in the meetings of United Nations General Assembly, started his bilateral meetings on Tuesday.
Gul firstly met with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. He expressed that Turkey condemned terrorism, but on the other hand it did not approve extreme use of force.
Noting that life conditions of Palestinian people should be improved, Gul emphasized that Middle East road map did not have an alternative so this chance should not be missed.
Underlining that Turkey wanted to participate in Middle East peace efforts actively, Gul said that it would be better if the decision to send Arafat into exile was not fulfilled. He added that sending Arafat into exile would not contribute to peace.
Meanwhile, Gul told reporters that the agreement on selling Manavgat water to Israel was about to be signed and added that Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler would go to Israel next week and the agreement was expected to be signed during this visit.
(GC-AÖ) 23.09.2003