JEDDAH - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that Saudi Arabia sincerely and strongly supported Turkey`s Cyprus policy.
Gul met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faysal in Jeddah.
Gul replied questions of reporters after the meeting. He said that he asked for support of al-Faysal regarding the decisions which would be taken about Cyprus and al-Faysal told him that Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) deserved every type of support.
Noting that they comprehensively discussed Cyprus issue, Gul said that he received a great understanding and support from al-Faysal and he was pleased with it.
Gul said that election of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General was also brought onto agenda during the meeting. He added that Saudi Arabia was an important country because OIC headquarters located in this country and it had an active role in founding of OIC. Gul said that he asked support for Turkish candidate Ekmelettin Ihsanoglu within that scope.
Noting that there was a big Muslim population in Europe, Gul said, ``A Turkish OIC secretary general will represent not only Asia, but also Europe.``
Gul said that Turkey, which was about to start full membership negotiations with the European Union (EU), would contribute significantly to world peace by undertaking such an important mission in OIC. He stressed that if Turkish candidate was chosen, a secretary general from the west of Asia would have been elected for the first time.
Noting that activities would continue until the election day, Gul said, ``certainly Turkey`s undertaking such a mission is important both for Islamic world and for OIC. Turkey is close to the problematic region of Islamic world.``
When asked whether Saudi Arabia committed to support Turkish candidate, Gul said that stances of countries have started to emerge slowly and Saudi Arabia has a sympathy towards Ihsanoglu, but it was early to say a certain thing.
Noting that they also discussed Iraq issue comprehensively with al-Faysal, Gul said that a new order is about to be restored in Iraq, adding that prior to this, neighbors of Iraq should unite their views and make them concrete and then convey to coalition forces.
Gul said that he conveyed his sorrow and offered condolences over the recent terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia. He added that two countries could make cooperation in fight against terrorism.
Gul will meet with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah and depart from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning.
(GC-AÖ) 31.05.2004
JEDDAH - Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday that Saudi Arabia sincerely and strongly supported Turkey`s Cyprus policy.
Gul met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faysal in Jeddah.
Gul replied questions of reporters after the meeting. He said that he asked for support of al-Faysal regarding the decisions which would be taken about Cyprus and al-Faysal told him that Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) deserved every type of support.
Noting that they comprehensively discussed Cyprus issue, Gul said that he received a great understanding and support from al-Faysal and he was pleased with it.
Gul said that election of Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Secretary General was also brought onto agenda during the meeting. He added that Saudi Arabia was an important country because OIC headquarters located in this country and it had an active role in founding of OIC. Gul said that he asked support for Turkish candidate Ekmelettin Ihsanoglu within that scope.
Noting that there was a big Muslim population in Europe, Gul said, ``A Turkish OIC secretary general will represent not only Asia, but also Europe.``
Gul said that Turkey, which was about to start full membership negotiations with the European Union (EU), would contribute significantly to world peace by undertaking such an important mission in OIC. He stressed that if Turkish candidate was chosen, a secretary general from the west of Asia would have been elected for the first time.
Noting that activities would continue until the election day, Gul said, ``certainly Turkey`s undertaking such a mission is important both for Islamic world and for OIC. Turkey is close to the problematic region of Islamic world.``
When asked whether Saudi Arabia committed to support Turkish candidate, Gul said that stances of countries have started to emerge slowly and Saudi Arabia has a sympathy towards Ihsanoglu, but it was early to say a certain thing.
Noting that they also discussed Iraq issue comprehensively with al-Faysal, Gul said that a new order is about to be restored in Iraq, adding that prior to this, neighbors of Iraq should unite their views and make them concrete and then convey to coalition forces.
Gul said that he conveyed his sorrow and offered condolences over the recent terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia. He added that two countries could make cooperation in fight against terrorism.
Gul will meet with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah and depart from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning.
(GC-AÖ) 31.05.2004