BERLIN - We will launch a cross-border cultural initiative during my visit to Turkey, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters on Tuesday.
Steinmeier said that he attaches great importance to Ernst-Reuter initiative, which he will introduce together with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul in Turkey on Thursday.
He noted that the initiative will start from Turkey, and cultural activities will be held in Germany, Turkey and then in other countries.
Recalling that representations of several western countries had been stoned in some Islamic countries during the cartoon crisis, Steinmeier said that they launched this initiative to prevent indifference towards the issue.
Steinmeier will visit Turkey on Wednesday and attend an introductory meeting for the initiative with Gul on Thursday.