LONDON - Turkish Foreign Minister and Chief Negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan said Monday Turkish-British relations are excellent.
Babacan held talks Monday with British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband in London. Babacan's meeting with Miliband lasted around three hours. The two leaders held a joint press conference following their tete-a-tete meeting and lunch.
Speaking first at the press conference, Miliband said that Britain is proud to have very strong ties with Turkey.
"We discussed bilateral and regional issues today," Miliband said.
"We look at Turkey as a strong force in its region. We have re-affirmed Britain's support for Turkey's EU membership bid," Miliband said.
Touching on the closure case filed against the ruling Turkish Justice and Development (AK) Party, Miliband said that his government watches political developments in Turkey with concern.
"We are concerned about the initiative taken against the Turkish government. We look at the Turkish government as a representative of the Turkish people. This Turkish government deserves support of the global community and, of course, Britain," Miliband underlined.
"We have discussed Iraq, Iran's nuclear program, developments in Pakistan and the situation in Afghanistan. We have once again affirmed our cooperation with Turkey on these matters," Miliband noted.
Referring to Miliband as "my good friend and colleague", Ali Babacan said that he is thankful for the hospitality shown to him in London.
"Relations between Turkey and Britain are excellent. There was a trade volume of 14 billion USD last year between our two countries. Every year, Turkey hosts two million British tourists. The British citizens are among citizens that buy real estate properties in Turkey the most," Babacan said.
"After having signed the Strategic Partnership Document, Turkey and Britain have developed a common look at issues," Babacan said.
"We are pleased to see Britain's support of Turkey's EU membership bid," Babacan underscored.
In reference to Cyprus, Babacan stressed that there is a new mood of optimism in the island for a solution.
"We continue with positive and constructive efforts after the elections in Greek Cypriot side," Babacan said.
Both Babacan and Miliband stressed that a solution in Cyprus must take place within United Nations parameters.
In regard to the recent ground operation of the Turkish Armed Forces in north of Iraq, Babacan said that the operation only targeted terrorist organization PKK.
"This operation did not target the people of Iraq. The operation targeted terrorist organization PKK that commits crimes by crossing the border into Turkey. Kurds, Turkmens and Arabs living in Iraq are the brothers and sisters of the Turkish nation," Babacan said.
(SOL-MS)