Turkey: NATO Gain New Vision In Istanbul Summit

ISTANBUL (CIHAN) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday NATO has gained new perspective and acceleration with the Istanbul summit.
Erdogan recalled that Turkey first time successively hosted an NATO summit in its 52-year old NATO membership.
The leaders of 26 member countries of NATO, its 20 partner countries and two observer countries came togeter in Istanbul summit during 2-day summit.
Turkish Prime Minister asked forbiddance from the Turkish people who faced hard time during the summit due to the massive security measures. "Sure, there were certain difficulties but Turkey has gained great prestige." He said that he is not talking about the organizational success but the hosting important NATO summit that is on the verge of turning point in function of the NATO.
Stating that Islam culture and democracy culture, the tradition and modernity, the history and future had met in Istanbul, Erdogan said that Istanbul Summit witnessed the transformation process of NATO.
Erdogan said that the Istanbul Cooperation initiative which aims to harmonized cooperation and consultation with the region countries, as it was foreseen by the G-8 meeting and US-EU summit, has been put into affect with Istanbul summit.
"NATO has gained new acceleration and perspective with the decision taken in the Istanbul summit. The transformation of the NATO based on the new capabilities, new partnerships and new operations areas."
Turkish Prime Minister said that NATO first time issued an new vision declaration since the London Summit in 1990.
Meeting in Istanbul on 28 and 29 June, NATO Heads of State and Government expanded the Alliance`s presence in Afghanistan, agreed to assist Iraq with training, launched a new partnership initiative and adopted measures to improve NATO`s operational capabilities.
Erdogan said that the meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai was historic. "The decision taken was sign of new era beginning. The allies reached an consensus on Iraq. "
Referring to the relations between Turkey and Armenia, Erdogan hoped that the three party meeting between Armenia-Azerbaijan –Turkey would bring beneficial outcomes in future.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül met with the Azerbaijan Foreign Minister, Elmar Mamadyarov and the Armenian Foreign Minister, Vardan Oskaryan within the framework of NATO Summit in Istanbul yesterday. Gül made a statement after 45-minute talk and he said that the peace and stability issue in Caucasians drawed attention of the international community. "EU and NATO is creating a new strategy for the Southern Caucasian and also a new strategic vision must be developed."
The Turkish Prime Minister said that the meeting showed the tolerance between countries. Erdoðan said that win-win policy should be adopted to reach a successful results.
Regarding the Turkish hostages in Iraq, Erdogan added that the main reason of the terrorism is poverty. He said that he could not understand why militants take the civilian people as hostages in Iraq. "It is incomprehensible why they kidnap people."
Three Turkish hostages, who were abducted last week in Iraq, were released on Tuesday, Qatar based Al Jazeere satellite channel reported on Tuesday.
Turkish workers who were working at a Turkish air-conditioner company, were abducted by the militants of the Jama`at al-Tawhid and Jihad which is linked with Abu Musab Al Zarkavi.
The captors had threatened to behead the Turkish hostages unless Turkish construction firms operating in Iraq leave the country within 72 hours. The deadline for the hostages had expired today.