Our Goal Is To Have Strong Relations In All Areas With Balkan Countries, Babacan

ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan departed from Ankara on Tuesday and is headed to Bulgaria to attend a meeting of Southeast European countries' foreign ministers.
Speaking to reporters at Ankara's Esenboga International Airport, Babacan said the Southeast European Countries Cooperation process was an important Balkan cooperation platform that reflected the region's common will.
"The Southeast European Countries Cooperation process aims to find solutions in the region through political dialogue and joint will within the region itself," Babacan said.
"The process that began with the initiatives of Turkey is the only platform that brings Balkan countries together around the same table," Babacan said.
"We expect a decision at the meeting that would make Turkey the term president of the South-east European Countries Cooperation process between 2009 and 2010," Babacan said.
The present meeting carries high prominence at a time when the region is passing through a sensitive era due to the Kosovo issue, Babacan said.
Reminding that Turkey had close historical, cultural and humanitarian relations with Balkan countries, Babacan said that Turkey's goal was to have strong ties in all areas with the Balkan countries.
"Turkey's policy on the region is to preserve and strengthen peace, contribute to stability and increase economic cooperation. Turkey wants to preserve the multi-cultural structure of the region and sees such diversity as cultural richness," Babacan said.
In regard to a question on the European Stability Pact, Babacan said that the issue was being debated and elaborated on.
"A center has been established in Sarajevo for the Regional Co-operation Council. Turkey has assumed the responsibility for the interior decoration of the Sarajevo center," Babacan said.
"Turkey pays high attention to the Regional Co-operation Council. There are many issues for which the council is responsible including economic cooperation in the region. The Secretary General of the council has a team of experts. Turkey has assigned an official who will work in Sarajevo at the council," Babacan said.
In response to a question on Turkey's mediation efforts between Syria and Israel, Babacan said that initial talks between these two countries would take place via Turkey's assistance.
"If we reach a point in these indirect talks, the two sides will then convene around the same discussion table," Babacan also said.
(SOL-MS)