ANKARA - Bashkortostan President Murtaza Rahimov said that Turkish people would correctly understand the postponement of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Turkey, adding that Chechnya is the pain of not only Russia, but also everybody.
Rahimov who is currently in Turkey for the visit of Putin met Turkey-Russia Interparliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Nevzat Yalcintas on Thursday.
Yalcintas expressed pleasure with the visit of Rahimov and wished relations between two countries to further improve. Noting that Bashkortostan wants to open a representation in Turkey, Yalcintas said that this will contribute in mutual relations of two countries.
Rahimov also expressed their wish to open a representation in Turkey.
Regarding the postponement of Putin's visit, Rahimov said, ''I believe Turkish people will correctly understand the postponement of the visit. Chechnya is pain of not only Russia, but also all of us. What is happening in Caucasia is a complicated process. North Ossetia, Chechnya... On the other hand, the situation in our country is normal.''
Noting that Turkish businessmen make big investments in every area in Bashkortostan, Rahimov said that they wanted trade volume between two countries to further increase.
(GC-AÖ) 02.09.2004