SEOUL - Erdogan said on Monday Turkey supported dialogue and rapprochement policy covered by Korean government toward north Korea and noted that Ankara expected Korea to show interest and support Turkey in problems which it met in its region.
Erdogan who addressed a dinner hosted by South Korean President Moo-hyun Roh, said he saw how strong the ties between the two countries are following his visits in this country.
Erdogan said he believed that visit of South Korean President to Turkey would open a new page in relations.
Erdogan said according to the historians, relations between the two countries extended back to 6th century A.C., noting that Turkey was one of the first countries recognizing young Korean Republic in 1949 and recalled that Turkey supported Korea in the war.
Erdogan said Korea also helped Turkey in its difficult days, stressing that Korean people had helped a lot during the quake disaster which Turkey had to experience five years ago. Erdogan said friendship between the two countries improved as there was not any political problem between the two countries, and noted that the two countries support each other in international organizations.
Erdogan said Korean government considered as appropriate to join the stability force in Iraq with a combatant force, adding that, ''we appreciate this. We hope that this force would contribute to the stability of the region and help formation of an order in which sovereignty, territorial integrity and unitary structure of Iraq was protected.''
Stating that Far East region was one of the three big economic centers together with U.S. and EU, Erdogan said Korea was an important country of Northeastern Asia whose importance would increase in the 21st century.
Erdogan said they attributed importance to the improvement of friendly relations.
Erdogan also met with South Korean Parliament Speaker Park Kwag Young before the dinner.
(AY-AÖ) 09.02.2004