Georgian President: Turkish - Georgian Relations Of Critical Importance For Region

ANKARA - Turkish-Georgian relations were of critical importance for regional peace and stability, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Thursday.
Speaking in a conference organized by Eurasia Strategic Research Center in Turkish capital Ankara, Saakashvili said that two countries should take joint action to ensure regional peace and stability and end regional problems.
Saakashvili noted that political, economic and military relations between Turkey and Georgia were well and said that bilateral relations would be stronger in the future.
Turkey and its policies were welcomed in Georgia, Saakashvili stated.
Saakashvili thanked Turkish government and people for their constructive attitude towards solution of Adzharia problem.
Stressing importance of Georgia's territorial integrity, Saakashvili said that Turkey played a vital role in peaceful solution of the problem.
Saakashvili called on Turkish businessmen and investors to help Adzharia's development and contribute to Georgian economy.
Recalling that Turkey and Georgia had many in common from fight against terrorism to the security of Black Sea, Saakashvili expressed belief that two countries could establish a partnership within the framework of the European Union (EU) in the future.
Stressing importance of close military cooperation of Turkey and Georgia, Saakashvili noted that Georgia expected Turkey's support to its NATO membership.
Saakashvili, who came to Turkey earlier in the day for a three-day official visit as the guest of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, was welcomed by an official ceremony at the Presidential Palace.
In the ceremony, Sezer said, ''Georgia's sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and stability are indispensable factors for peace and prosperity of whole Caucasian region. Therefore, we welcomed efforts to overcome peacefully the tension between Georgia and the autonomous Republic of Adzharia as a result of Georgian government's attitude of common-sense.''
Sezer and Saakashvili later held a joint press conference.
Turkish President Sezer said that Turkey was closely following the problems in Southern Caucasia, adding that it was important to solve Abkhazia and Southern Osetia problems in peaceful ways and within territorial integrity of Georgia. Saakashvili said that Georgia was expecting Turkey's assistance in integration with NATO.
Georgian President Saakashvili later visited Turkish Deputy Parliament Speaker Yilmaz Ates.
(BRC) 20.05.2004