ANKARA - Turkey`s Premier said on Saturday a peace diplomacy to be implemented by Turkey would positively contribute to the situation in Iraq, Syrian-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian relations.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a press conference at Ankara`s Esenboga International Airport prior to his departure for Syria where he will attend the first meeting of the Turkish-Syrian Economic Forum.
"A Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Syria went into affect as of January 1st, 2007. The first meeting of the Turkish-Syrian Economic Forum established by the agreement will take place in Damascus on Saturday," Erdogan said.
"I will meet Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and Prime Minister Naji al-Utri while in Damascus," Erdogan said.
"Businessmen from Turkey and Syria will attend the forum meeting. We will discuss cooperation opportunities in the fields of commerce, industry, tourism, technology, energy and transportation," Erdogan said.
"Turkey continues talks with the governments and political groups of all countries in the region. Turkey`s peace diplomacy in the region will have a positive impact on Iraq, Syrian-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian relations," Erdogan noted.
"Thanks to Turkey`s peace diplomacy, the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan got together during the rule of the 10th Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. We are making preparations for a second summit between the presidents of Pakistan and Afghanistan," Erdogan said.
Asked if he has any thoughts about bringing the leaders of Syria and Israel together in a summit, Erdogan stressed that there was a high possibility to bring the leaders of Syria and Israel together in a meeting.
(SOL-GC)