Visit Of British Queen Crowns Bilateral Relations, Babacan

ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Wednesday that visit of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom was crowning of relations between Turkey and Britain.
Speaking at a joint news conference with British Secretary of Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs David Miliband, Babacan said, "this visit will obviously direct and cast light on improvement of relations in the next term."
Referring to Miliband`s presence in Ankara, Babacan said this was an opportunity to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional matters and Turkey-EU relations.
"We have assessed economic, political and cultural relations as well as cooperation to deal with terrorism," Babacan said, and noted that both parties emphasized necessity for a comprehensive cooperation in fight against terrorism.
Babacan said Britain was one of the countries expending staunchest support to Turkey`s EU process.
"Environment and climate change, energy security, millennium development targets, Middle East, Iraq, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, developments in Lebanon, and Pakistan were the other topics discussed in at the meeting," Babacan said.
Turkish Foreign Minister said he explained Miliband Turkey`s views and expectations on Cyprus issue, "we have stated that the new situation in Greek Cypriot part of the island after the elections was an opportunity and a progress should be ensured rapidly before this window of opportunity was closed," he added.
Guest minister Miliband said visit of Queen Elizabeth II was symbolical and would contribute to improvement of relations.
Miliband also said the visit was important to promote the old and new values of Turkey, and referred to cooperation between Turkey and Britain on economy, culture, tourism, education and politics.
British minister said the parties agreed to establish special dialogue on some matters, noting that fight against terrorism would be one of them.
Miliban said the second area would be on climate change. "This has become a gradually growing matter for both countries and cooperation is needed in this respect," he added.
Miliband expressed willingness of Britain not only to be a party that supports the steps made by Turkey, but also to be an ally of Turkey within the EU. He said Britain supports steps of the Turkish government in full membership process.
Asked to comment on a union for Mediterranean, Miliband said the project was important for the EU, however underlined that this was not an alternative to enlargement process of the EU.
(AY-AÖ)