ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Wednesday that Turkey strongly supported the process which started with the Annapolis Conference and it would carry on with its support till a final peace agreement was achieved.
Babacan met with Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of Britain, at a working dinner hosted by Rifat Hisarciklioglu, chairman of the Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges in Turkey (TOBB).
Delivering a speech prior to the dinner, Babacan said that Turkey supported various international initiatives aiming at the peaceful solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which constituted a key issue laying at the centre of all the problems in the Middle East.
"Beyond doubt, dialogue is the most important element of peace," said Babacan, stating that Turkey would continue to support the peace process in a determined way.
Noting that humanitarian and development projects were of great importance besides the peace process, Babacan said Turkey reserved a 150-million USD source for Palestine for a 3-year period.
Blair said that he appreciated Turkey`s activities in the Middle East and its contribution to the peace process in the region.
Apart from achieving political progress, supporting the Palestinian economy is of great importance, he said.
Blair also expressed his sorrow over the recent terrorist attack on a shuttle bus, killing five and wounding many others in Turkey`s southeastern Diyarbakir province.
(DO-AY)
(DIP)