ANKARA - Ankara will host Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Utri and Israeli First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Communications, Labor, Industry and Trade Ehud Olmert on Tuesday.
Economy is expected to be the main topic of the agenda of the two guests. Bilateral relations as well as Middle East, Iraq, international and regional relations such as fight against terrorism will also be discussed.
Utri will complete his meetings on Tuesday and proceed to Istanbul.
Olmert's visit will start on Wednesday by attending Joint Economic Council meeting.
Utri will meet Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul and Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc.
Olmert's visit will be the first high level visit following Prime Minister Erdogan's criticisms toward Israel.
Olmert is expected to have meetings to overcome recent tension between Turkey and Israel.
Olmert is also expected to express the uneasiness they felt over Erdogan's criticisms.
Ankara will convey the message to Olmert that policies pursued toward Palestinians should be reviewed. Ankara will also give the message that it expects steps to be taken for the solution of problems.
Relations between Turkey and Israel have become tense for a while because of Ankara's criticisms on Israeli policy toward Palestinians, activities which Israel was claimed to be continuing in north of Iraq, and Turkey's arbitration role between Israel and Syria.
Olmert will also meet President Sezer, Foreign Minister Gul, State Minister Ali Babacan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hilmi Guler, Minister of Transportation Binali Yildirim and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
(AY-AÖ) 12.07.2004