TALLINN - Spain was ready to cooperate and extend every kind of assistance to Turkey regarding the cargo ship ''Ulla'' which sank in Turkish port of Iskenderun, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday.
Gul, who answered questions of reporters aboard the plane on his way to Estonian capital of Tallinn, said that Spain offered to form a task force to examine the pollution caused by the sunken ship which was loaded with some hazardous materials.
''The Spanish government told Turkish authorities that it would extend every kind of support to Turkey regarding the problem'', Gul stated.
Gul said that they believed that bilateral and international cooperation was important in dealing with environmental disasters, and noted, ''we welcomed proposals of our friend and ally Spain.''
''We were pleased to see that the Spanish government was ready for cooperation with Turkey within the framework of international regulations regarding share of burden and legal liabilities'', Gul added.
(BRC-ULG) 09.09.2004