ISTANBUL - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that Turkey, as the neighbor of Iraq and friend of Iraqi people, would continue its contribution to reconstruction process of this country.
Sezer, who chaired opening session of the 19th Meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), said in his speech that Middle East region was on the threshold of a new period.
Sezer said, ''we are expecting both sides to speed up their steps in accordance with road map and make an active cooperation to end clashes, terrorism and violence on the path for solution of Israeli-Palestinian problem. It will be vital to take necessary measures with a determined manner to make ineffective every type of initiative, including terrorist activities and usage of force, that will prevent putting road map into practice. This important opportunity for solution of disagreement in peaceful ways should not be missed.''
Sezer said that Turkey, as it happened in the past, was ready to work with all sides to establish a future where peace, stability and prosperity would prevail in the Middle East.
Sezer said, ''we are following developments in Iraq closely. Restoring security and public order in Iraq, protection of life and property, security of Iraqi people and meeting basic needs of people are among the issues which have to be solved rapidly. Sovereignty as parallel to restoring of security and stability in Iraq should be transferred to Iraqi people. Protection of Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity are indispensable principles for us within this process. Clasping of all parts of Iraqi population each other within these principles is important both for Iraq and for the stability of region.''
Sezer said that Turkey, as the neighbor of Iraq and friend of Iraqi people, would continue its contribution to reconstruction process of this country.
(GC-AY) 22.10.2003