Sezer: Turkey wants to develop ties and cooperation with Russia

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer hosted a dinner at the Cankaya Palace in honor of Russian President Vladimir Putin who arrived in Ankara this evening.
     Sezer stated that Turkey wants to develop ties and cooperation with Russia. ``This is the first high-level visit of a Russian leader in Turkey. Putin`s visit will contribute to the partnership between the two countries,`` expressed Sezer. ``We are pleased to welcome our friend and neighbor Russia`s President and his delegation.``
     Sezer remarked that the historical ties between Turkey and Russia make the two countries close to each other. ``Despite widely held notion, the topic of peace has been dominant within our relations. The Turkish ambassador to Moscow in November 1920 Ali Fuat Cebesoy was one of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk`s closest friends. Cebesoy`s post in Moscow is a good proof of the close ties between Turkey and Russia.``
     According to Sezer, ``Turkey values Russia`s friendship. With its rich natural resources, educational, cultural and scientific achievements and dynamic population and great geographic structure, Russia has and continues to contribute to world civilization. Individuals such as Pushkin, Tolstoy and Rahmaninov have culturally enriched many societies including the Turkish one.``
     ``With the end of the Cold War, new developments have begun taking place in our world. The impact of changes could be seen in the development of Turkish-Russian ties,`` told Sezer. Sezer further reminded his guests at the dinner that political relations between Turkey and Russia are getting better every day. ``The two countries` approach to global issues and problems have many resemblances. The establishment of permanent peace, security, stability and economic development are to the mutual benefit of Turkey and Russia.``
     President Sezer remarked that projects such as the Blue Stream is a solid sign of the developing ties between Turkey and Russia. Russia is Turkey`s second biggest trade partner after Germany, say Turkish officials.
     ``At the post-cold war era, the wide spread of terrorism, growing numbers of mass weapons of destruction, drug trafficking pose a threat to the free world. These threats are being faced by all ethnic, religious and geographic groups,`` noted Sezer. ``We must have international cooperation to deal with such threats.`` ``I want to express our firm commitment to deal with international terrorism. We expect our ties with Russia to contribute to such a struggle against international terror,`` said Sezer. Sezer reminded his guests at the Cankaya Palace that while his government is still in a search for the new world order, international cooperation is essential and the role of the United Nations is prominent. ``The U.N. must have more strength to deal with international terror.``
     ``Mr. President, your visit to Turkey will be a turning point in our relations and will take our already good relations to a higher level,`` said Sezer.
    
     (ES-AY)
2004-12-05