ISTANBUL - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa signed Friday "Turkey-Arab Cooperation Forum Framework Agreement" in a ceremony in Ciragan Palace in Istanbul within the scope of the ministerial-level international conference on Iraq. Prior to the signing ceremony, delegations of Turkey and Arab League had a meeting.
Taking the floor in the ceremony, Babacan said he paid his first visit to the Middle East after he became foreign minister and several high-level officials from countries in this region also paid visits to Turkey. Economic relations have been improved between the two parties and those developments show that there is a great cooperation between Turkey and Arab League, Babacan stated.
Problems in Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon influenced both Arab League and also Turkey, he said and stated terrorism keep targeting several countries and peoples.
"Regional countries should have cooperation to handle these problems. They aim to secure peace and stability," Babacan said.
On the other hand, Moussa said "Turkey-Arab Cooperation Forum Framework Agreement" would contribute to relations and it would also serve as a starting point for Arab-Turkish relations.
They were against terrorism and condemned the attacks Turkey have faced, Moussa stated.
-RICE MEETS AL-MALIKI-
According to diplomatic sources, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had a meeting with Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki after she arrived in Istanbul.