DAMASCUS (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that he and his Syrian counterpart Muhammad Naji al-Utri stressed that fair and permanent solution could be found to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Erdogan and al-Utri held a joint press conference after their tete-a-tete meeting and the meeting between Turkish and Syrian delegations.
Syrian Prime Minister al-Utri pointed out that bilateral relations between Turkey and his country were based on neighborhood, common history, culture and goals, and expressed belief that the agreement which would lay the groundwork for a free trade zone between two countries would increase economic relations and trade volume of Turkey and Syria.
On the other hand, PM Erdogan, in his part, said that they probed measures that could be taken to assure stability and peace in the region.
Erdogan said that this was the first time he was visiting Syria and expressed pleasure to see the level that political, commercial and economic relations between Turkey and Syria had reached.
PM Erdogan noted that they also discussed investments of Turkish businessmen in Syria and joint projects businessmen of the two countries could undertake.
Stating that they also took up Israeli-Palestinian dispute, Erdogan said, ``we discussed what kind of fair and permanent solutions we can find to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and what we can do to assure stability and peace in our region.``
When a reporter asked, ``we have received information that a joint dam will be built on Asi River. Does water dispute between Turkey and Syria end?`` Utri said, ``now we have reached a consensus and we want joint development in our region. If a joint dam on Asi River will contribute to the development of the region, we will build it.``
``The border between Turkey and Syria was dangerous in the past. Now we clear land mines and the area will be opened to agriculture. We support projects which will unite our people and promote their life standard,`` added Utri.
Utri said, ``we also discussed the issue of taking water from Dicle (Tigris) River. Erdogan approached positively to the issue and he said necessary technical support can be provided.``
When a reporter asked Erdogan`s remarks about U.S. President George Bush`s threatening statements against Syria, Erdogan said, ``we have talked on the phone with President Bush. We discussed issues about the EU, attack on Turkish security guards in Mosul and the elections which will be held in Iraq on January 30th, besides the peace in the region. Turkey will contribute to the peace in the region in the future. Our policy is to gain friends, not enemies.``
When a reporter asked Utri whether Syria has an expectation from Turkey as a mediator to solve problems between Israel and Syria, Utri said, ``Syria supports peace. The problem does not stem from us. It stems from Israel. We are for a just and sustainable peace in the region. However, Israel does not want this. It does not give back the lands it took (from us). Many resolutions were adopted by UN and other institutions. But Israel did not accept any of them. We expect international peace supporters to convince Israel.``
Following the news conference, Erdogan and Utri signed a free trade agreement between Turkey and Syria.
(BRC-GC-ULG)
2004-12-22