Gul: Ajaria Autonomous Region Is A Part Of Georgia

IZMIR - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that Ajaria Autonomous Region was a part of Georgia, and noted that, ''we suggest them not be split up and disrupt their authority.''
Replying to a question while speaking with Justice and Development Party (AK Party) members, Gul said Turkey closely followed the problems that erupted between Ajaria Autonomous Region and Georgia recently.
Gul said Ajaria was a part of Georgia, stressing that, ''we suggest them not be split up and disrupt their authority.''
Pointing out that Turkey wanted integrity of Georgia to be preserved, Gul said, ''we prefer stability in the Caucasus. Stability in Caucasia is for the benefit of both Turkey and the region. As you know, Georgia has problems with some other regions as well as Ajaria Autonomous Region. It has internal problems.''
Gul said, ''we tell them not to disrupt their domestic order. We said the central government should prevail throughout the whole country and Georgia's territorial integrity should not be under risk.''
(AY-AÖ) 15.03.2004