ISTANBUL - State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener said on Thursday that all member countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) had the will to cooperate in fight against terrorism.
Sener replied to questions of reporters in the 14th meeting of Regional Planning Council of ECO.
Asked whether or not they expected support of member countries of ECO in regional and global cooperation against terrorism, Sener said, ''member countries of this organization share similar view on terrorism. All member countries of ECO have the will to cooperate in fight against terrorism.''
Sener said that important steps were taken on international platform in regard to cooperation against terrorism and stated that there could be cooperation in intelligence among countries. Stating that countries could support each other in fight against terrorism, Sener said that a joint strategy could be determined. He added that they were supported during meetings between Turkey and neighbor countries after latest terrorist incidents in Istanbul.
Stating that all countries should make cooperation in fight against terrorism, Sener said that prime ministers and ministers of some countries conveyed their best wishes for Turkey after terrorist attacks in Istanbul. Sener noted that they also said that they did not find appropriate some statements and the decision of UEFA and added that such attitudes affected negatively fight against terrorism and helped terrorist groups reach their aims.
When a reporter reminded him that Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus also attended the meeting of Regional Planning Council of ECO as an observer and said that there was a critical period on Cyprus and asked whether or not such international platforms could be turned into a search for support on Cyprus cause, Sener said that Cyprus issue was always brought onto the agenda during such international meetings and support on the issue was wanted and stated that some progress was recorded.
''Cyprus issue is a national cause of Turkey. Turkish Cypriot people's security is also very important. The future of Turkish Cypriot people is very important as well. Turkey has guarantor rights regarding Cyprus stemming from agreements. Thus, Turkey expresses its international rights on every platform,'' he added.
(EÖ-AÖ) 04.12.2003