ISTANBUL - Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said during his meeting on Friday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Adzharia's autonomy could not be matter of discussion.
Sources said that during his meeting with Saakashvili, Erdogan had said he was a relative of Georgians and he was born in Turkey's northern province of Rize and his daughter-in-law was of Georgian origin.
Erdogan said that he was closely following democratization in Adzharia region.
Meanwhile, Saakashvili said that he was closely following developments in Turkey and he followed his example to his efforts against corruption and on democratization path. Informing Erdogan on efforts under fight against corruption, Saakashvili drew attention to the point that Erdogan had not used the Official Prime Ministry Residence after he became the Turkish Prime Minister.
Noting that he had hired an apartment to get more closer to his people, Saakashvili stressed that Turkey also stood as an example among the Muslim countries with its efforts for democratization.
The sides also discussed problems related to truck transportation while Saakashvili noted that they had been working on a study that would allow Turkish truck drivers to enter Georgia without waiting at eastern Sarp border gate, sources said.
Stressing importance of the Kars-Tbilisi railway, Erdogan said the railway should be completed and it should reach the Caspian. ''Then China will be more closer to us. It will also be very influential over the economy of whole region,'' Erdogan said.
Saakashvili who asked Turkish businessmen to make more investments in energy field in Georgia proposed joint operation of the Batumi Airport.
Meanwhile, Erdogan said that he had given necessary instructions about energy issue to Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler during his visit to Bucharest.
The sides also discussed the Adzharia issue. Saakashvili said that autonomy of Adzharia could not be matter of discussion while Erdogan said, ''also we attribute great importance to Adzharia's autonomy.'' Erdogan stressed that they attached importance also to Georgia's territorial integrity.
During that meeting, Saakashvili thanked Erdogan for Turkish officers who trained Georgian army.
Saakashvili said that they would give the start for Turkish language lessons at schools in Georgia and he requested Erdogan to send Turkish teachers.
During that meeting, Erdogan said they would support Georgia's NATO membership, sources added.
(MS) 21.05.2004