ANKARA - Turkey welcomed the peaceful solution of the ongoing tension between Georgia and Adzharia, Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
Foreign Ministry said, ``Turkey welcomes the peaceful solution of the tension, which has been continuing in Adzharia Autonomous Republic region of Georgia and can negatively affect the stability of both Georgia and the region, by Georgian government`s stance with common sense.``
The statement said that Turkey would continue to make every type of contribution for prosperity and happiness of Georgian people as it has happened until today. Aslan Abashidze, who has been in power in Adzharia Autonomous region for more than ten years, is known as one of the major opponents of Mikhail Saakashvili who became President of Georgia after the elections held in January.
Abashidze proclaimed emergency rule soon after the events that former Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze was forced to resign from his mission in November, 2003. Abashidze said that the interim government which was formed in Tbilisi was not legitimate. The concerns about Adzharia problem have increased when bridges that connect the region to the rest of the country were blown up with the request of Abashidze last Sunday.
Saakashvili stated that if Abashidze resigned and left the country, he would give security guarantee to Abashidze. Abashidze who said that he would not leave his country, departed from Adzharia after Wednesday night instantly.
(GC-AÖ) 06.05.2004