ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey was ready to contribute to Middle East peace process.
In an interview with Al-Mustakbal newspaper broadcast in Lebanon, Erdogan said the peace in the Middle East should be fair and comprehensive.
Stating that Turkish-Syrian relations were based on historical, social and cultural ties, Erdogan said Syrian President Bashar al-Asad would play an important role for improvement of those relations and in providing regional peace and security.
Replying to a question, Erdogan said Turkey's military relations with Israel were open and transparent, and stated that, ''it is not possible to consider those relations against any regional country.''
Asked about the possibility of his visit to Israel, Erdogan said, ''I have not yet made a definite and final decision about visiting Israel.''
Erdogan said Turkey's membership to European Union (EU) would strengthen dialogue among the civilizations, and stressed that recognizing Greek Cypriot side was impossible before finding a final and fair solution to Cyprus question.
Erdogan said relations between Turkey and the United States were important, noting that the two countries have common strategic interests.
Erdogan said all the events that took place in Iraq would not affect the core of those relations. Erdogan noted that civilians should not be targeted in Iraq.
Stating that Turkey's point of view toward the Greater Middle East Project was positive, Erdogan said targets of this project could not be fulfilled as long as Arab-Israeli dispute continues.
2004-12-22