-TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY, BABACAN
ISTANBUL - "The Middle East is going through a sensitive era. We are faced with problems, including the Palestinian issue and developments in Iraq, that may have an impact on the whole region," said Turkish Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan, on Saturday.
Babacan departed from Istanbul`s Ataturk Airport on Saturday and he is heading to Damascus, Syria as part of his tour of the Middle East. Babacan is scheduled to visit Syria, Israel, Palestine and Jordan.
Babacan held a press briefing prior to his departure from Istanbul.
"I will make several visits to the countries in the Middle East in October. The region is going through a sensitive period. We are faced with problems, including the Palestinian matter and developments in Iraq that may affect the whole region. We have invited the foreign ministers of Iraq`s neighbors, G-8 and G-5 countries to a conference on Iraq to be held in Turkey in November. This conference will be a turning point in discussing Iraq`s future and improving the conditions in Iraq," told Babacan.
"Turkey will continue to contribute to regional peace and stability. I will discuss regional and international issues during my visit to the Middle East," remarked Babacan.
-PROBLEMS SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY DIALOGUE-
"We want to help regional problems get resolved by dialogue and not clashes. We want to establish an atmosphere where countries have a joint understanding of security. Security must be established for all countries and sides. We wish to develop economic relations in the Middle East. We believe in the preservation of the region`s multi-cultural character. We are against all divisions based on ethnic origin, religion or sect," noted Babacan.
-MINISTER BABACAN`S PROGRAM-
Minister Babacan will meet his Syrian counterpart Walid Mualem at a working dinner on Saturday. Babacan will be received by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad on Sunday.
On Sunday afternoon, Babacan will proceed to Israel and Palestine. Babacan will be received separately by the President of Israel Shimon Peres, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Speaker of the Israeli Parliament. Babacan will also meet the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tzipora "Tzipi" Livni, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and leader of the main opposition party in Israel.
Meanwhile, on the Palestinian side, Babacan will meet President of Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Selam Feyyad, and Deputy Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki.
Babacan proceeds to Jordan on Tuesday, October 9th.
In Jordan, Babacan will be received by King Abdallah, Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit and Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdel-Elah Mohammad al-Khatib.
Minister Babacan will complete his tour of the Middle East on October 9th.