ANKARA (AA) - A new climate had occurred regarding the Middle Eastern peace process, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday.
Before he went to his tour to the Middle East covering Israel, Palestine and Jordan, Gul told reporters that he would be accompanied by a crowded delegation comprised of members of Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Group with Israel and Palestine, and businessmen, and would have meetings with Palestinian and Israeli officials.
Stressing importance of this first visit of the Turkish government (formed by the Justice and Development Party) to the region, Gul said that he would discuss possible contributions of Turkey to the Middle Eastern peace process during his meetings.
Gul said, ``this positive climate can bear good results. As Turkey, who has good relations with both parties, it is our duty to contribute to the peace process,`` and stated that he would also take up other political and economic matters during his meetings.
Also stressing the importance of the visit he is paying to the region before Palestinian presidential elections are held on January 9th, 2005, Gul said, ``it is also one of important duties of Turkey to make financial and moral contribution to the elections. Our government has made necessary preparations for this.``
Noting that Turkey expected the elections to be held transparently, democratically and successfully, Gul said that observers from Turkey including parliamentarians, diplomats and academicians would go to Palestine to monitor the elections.
Gul expressed his belief that the elections would strengthen the hand of the Palestinians in the peace process.
Informing journalists about his meetings in the Middle East, Gul said that he would go to Jerusalem today (Monday) and visit Turkey`s Consulate General in Jerusalem and Turkish Cultural Center.
Gul noted that he would visit Turkish officers and policemen in Hebron and hold talks for the Turkish Soldiers` Cemetery planned to be opened in Jerusalem.
After visiting Haram al-Sharif tomorrow (January 4th), he would meet Israeli President Moshe Katsav, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Israeli First Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, and Shimon Peres, the leader of the Labor Party who would become the deputy prime minister of Israel soon, said Gul.
Stating that he would proceed to Palestine on Wednesday (January 5th), Gul said that he would visit the grave of Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat, who died on November 11th, 2004, and meet Ruhi Fatuh, the interim leader of Palestine; Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of Palestine Liberation Organization; Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmad Kurey; Palestinian Foreign Minister Nebil Shaat; and Palestinian Negotiations Minister Saib Uraiqat.
Gul said that he would proceed to (Jordanian capital of) Amman after he completed his meetings in Palestine, and attend the ninth meeting to be held as a part of the regional initiative on Iraq.
Recalling that parliament speakers of Iraq`s neighbors had a meeting, and interior ministers of these countries convened last month, Gul said that these neighboring countries and G-8 countries met in Egypt.
Gul stated that how Iraq`s neighbors could contribute to unity, integrity, peace and tranquility of Iraq were discussed in those meetings.
FM Gul said that the meeting to be held in Amman had particular importance since it would take place before the elections in Iraq.
Gul stressed that Turkey attached great importance to holding elections in Iraq without delay, and said that Turkey also attached particular importance to participation of Arab-Sunset circles in the elections.
``I hope a political calendar will start to operate in Iraq after elections are held. And, I also hope that thus, foreign soldiers will start withdrawing (from this country),`` Gul added.
2005-01-03