ANKARA - Preservation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity were among priorities of Turkish foreign policy, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Thursday.
Sezer hosted dinner in honor of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who is paying an official visit to Turkey.
In the dinner, Sezer said that solution of all problems within the framework of principles of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity were also among priorities of Turkish foreign policy.
Sezer noted that it was pleasing that Georgia had left behind tensive and difficult days thanks to peaceful methods.
Turkish President Sezer expressed belief that all problems would be solved through peaceful means thanks to common sense of the Georgian leadership.
Sezer said that Turkey wanted a strong and stable Georgia in the Caucasus, which was a problematic region.
A strong Georgia was the guarantee of preservation of peace in the region, Sezer stated.
Sezer pointed out that it should not be forgotten that Georgia had a strategic location on the road from Turkey to the Caucasus and Central Asia.
''We are pleased that Georgia has recorded significant progress in integration with the west as an esteemed member of the international community in the last 12 years. And, we appreciate Georgia's steps on the road to peace, stability and democracy. Stability, unity and prosperity of our neighbor Georgia are important for Turkey. Preservation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and finding a solution to all its problems within the framework of these principles are among priorities of Turkish foreign policy,'' Sezer said.
Sezer noted that Turkey would continue to extend support to Georgia in order to maintain its existence in peace and stability.
Turkish-Georgian relations constituted an example for other countries, Sezer pointed out.
Sezer said that Georgia's steps to be taken to overcome problems of Turkish investors would further improve relations.
Two countries had multi-dimensional relations covering training, equipment and financial assistance in order to adjust Georgian army with NATO standards, Sezer stated.
Sezer noted that military cooperation between the two countries contributed to preservation of world peace in Kosho.
This first official visit of Saakashvili to Turkey would further improve bilateral relations, Sezer added.
Saakashvili, in his part, said that real friend Turkey had extended a helping hand to Georgia when Georgia gained its independence and had continued its support since then.
Turkey was one of the first countries which had extended the greatest support to efforts of Georgia to grow its economy, integrate with European institutions and strengthen its army, Saakashvili stated.
Saakashvili noted that Turkey would have a neighbor in the future which would undertake the responsibility to make South Caucasus and Black Sea regions of peace and stability.
He had achieved to form state institutions, take steps to strengthen the army and solve Adzharia problem in six months after he had taken over the office, Saakashvili stated.
Saakashvili said that he was trying to take Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Founder of Turkish Republic, as an example for restructuring and developing his country.
Georgian President 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.
Turkish-Georgian relations were of critical importance for regional peace and stability, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said in a conference organized by Eurasia Strategic Research Center in Turkish capital Ankara earlier on Thursday.
(BRC) 20.05.2004