State Minister Aydin In Tbilisi

ISTANBUL/TBILISI - State Minister Mehmet Aydin arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia early on Monday.
Speaking to reporters prior to his departure from Istanbul's Ataturk airport, Aydin said that Turkey had been sending important amount of humanitarian aid to Georgia.
''It is an aid of almost six hundred thousand tons. They are carried by ninety-seven trucks and forty-three of them have reached Tbilisi. There is serious need for foodstuffs,'' he said.
Stressing that Turkey and Georgia had historical ties, Aydin said, ''as you know that general election has taken place in Georgia recently. It was held through democratic ways. We are going to Georgia to share joy of our neighbors for Turkey's aid and see the latest situation.'' Aydin said that he would proceed to Batumi from Tbilisi, visit Ajaria region and have several meetings there.
Under his two-day official visit to Georgia, Aydin will meet with Georgian Finance and Revenue Minister Zurab Noghaideli and Minister of State Zurab Zhvania.
Aydin is expected to return to Turkey on January 15.
(MS-AY) 12.01.2004