JERUSALEM (AA) - I am optimistic that permanent peace could settle in the Middle East. Turkey is ready to make every type of contribution to peace,'' said Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Tuesday.
Gul held a joint news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Recalling that he was received by Israeli President Moshe Katsav early in the day, Gul said, ''we had a positive meeting.''
''There is a new atmosphere in the Middle East where new developments have occurred. This new atmosphere should be assessed in the best way to restore peace. Thus, timing of my visit is important,'' said Gul.
He noted, ''I am optimistic for peace for the first time. Not only I, but also officials of Israel, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon are also optimistic. This chance should not be missed.''
''Turkey is willing to contribute to permanent peace in the region. Bilateral relations between Turkey and Israel is on a very good level. Our trade volume has reached to 2 billion U.S. dollars. Also, Turkey is one of the most significant centers for Israeli tourists after the United States,'' he said.
Gul said, ''relations will be further improved with my visit. I believe future will be more bright both for Israel and Turkey and the region.''
''Now it is time to spend energy for peace,'' he added.
Israeli Foreign Minister Shalom said in his part, ''Turkey and Israel agree not to give a place to terrorism in the region.''
''Gul's visit is a sign of significant relations between Turkey and Israel,'' he added.
Noting, ''we had a very positive meeting with Gul,'' Shalom said, ''we had the chance to bring a new dimension to our bilateral relations during the meetings.''
Shalom said Gul conveyed him that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was also planning a visit to Israel in the very near future.
Touching on trade and investment opportunities, Shalom said partnership between Turkey and Israel was one of the basic elements for regional countries. Participation of more countries in this cooperation will create an opportunity to eliminate terrorism in the region, he added.
''We had the chance to discuss the existing threats, especially the terrorism threat, in the region during our meeting. Terrorism is an issue which threatens our democratic way of life,'' said Shalom.
Noting that Turkey also suffered significantly from terrorism, Shalom said that they assessed to increase cooperation in fight against terrorism. He said they agreed not to give a place to terrorism in the region.
''We also took up Middle East peace process. I told Gul that Israel wants to live in peace with its all neighbors. I also explained activities which Israel pursues for this aim,'' said Shalom.
Shalom noted, ''we are aware of Turkey's uneasiness about this issue. We are aware of Turkey's significance. We know that ending Arabian-Israeli dispute is very important for the whole region. Thus, Palestinian administration should rapidly take action and put an end to attacks on civilians. It will be possible to start talks when terrorism ends.''
Shalom congratulated Turkish people and government for the progress Turkey recorded in the EU process. He said, ''Israel welcomed this development. I am sure Turkey's accession in enlargement process of the EU will increase global and regional stability. We always support Turkey's efforts.''
The UN will hold a special session in January to eliminate death camps, he said, adding that this was very important for relations of peoples of two countries.
GUL: ''SYRIA AND LEBANON SHOULD BE PART OF PEACE PROCESS AS WELL''
When asked whether he brought a message from Syria to Israel, Gul said, ''Turkey and Syria have good relations. We want the peace to be comprehensive in the Middle East. Thus, Syria and Lebanon should be part of this peace process as well.''
''We think this problem can be solved only by this way eternally. Thus, we, as a country which has good relations with Syria, do our best,'' said Gul, but refrained to give further details.
Upon another question about Syria, Gul said terrorism cannot be justified any way. ''Terrorism will bring no benefit to nobody and this is a proven reality.''
When a reporter established a parallelism between Hatay issue between Turkey and Syria, and Golan heights issue between Israel and Syria, Gul said these were different issues and he could not make a comparison between them. Turkey and Syria do not have any problems regarding land issue, he added.
Upon a question about Turkey's possible assistance to Palestine, Gul said, ''Turkey is willing and ready about this issue. We have discussed the issue at the meeting and we will continue discussions.''
Meanwhile, when asked their expectations from Turkey in the period after Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Israeli Foreign Minister Shalom said, ''I have believed for a long time that peace will be settled more easily without Arafat.''
''Turkey is friend with both Israel and Palestine. Thus, I believe Turkey can help us,'' added Shalom.
Upon a question about Turkey's contribution to peace process, Shalom said, ''we need every type of assistance in this period. Turkey, as the only democratic Islam country in the region, can help other regional countries.''
Upon a question about Turkey's assistance to Palestine which is in an election process, Shalom said, ''Turkey has good relations with Palestine.'' He recalled that Foreign Minister Gul said they do not want to contribute in this process for prestige.
Shalom said Turkey can follow elections in Palestine by sending observers and it can help Palestine for implementations in civilian and security fields and providing transparency. It can also assist in refreshment of Palestinian economy, he said. <
2005-01-04