SHAAT: ''WE WILL WELCOME A ROLE TO BE PLAYED BY TURKEY TO PROVIDE LASTING PEACE IN THE REGION''
RAMALLAH (AA) - Foreign Minister Nebil Shaat of Palestine said on Wednesday that they would welcome a role to be played by Turkey for a lasting peace in the Middle East.
Shaat held a joint news conference together with Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently paying an official visit to Palestine.
Recalling that Turkey was the first country recognizing Palestine after the Palestinian state was founded, Shaat said that there had always been sound relations between Turkey and Palestine.
Noting that Turkey always supported Palestine at international fora, Shaat thanked the Turkish government for its support.
Reminding that Turkey and Palestine would sign a cultural cooperation agreement, Shaat said that Turkey's economic assistance to Palestine was one of the issues discussed at his meeting with Gul.
Shaat told reporters that he briefed the Turkish delegation on their negotiations with Israel.
Expressing Palestine's pleasure with the decision of the EU to open entry talks with Turkey, Shaat invited Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit his country.
Upon a question, Shaat said that Turkey could play a great role within the interests of the Palestinian people, thanks to its good relations with Israel, the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the EU.
Referring to Turkey's political influence in the region, Shaat expressed his hope that Turkey would use this influence in order to assist the Palestinian people.
(To be continued)
(UK-ULG)
2005-01-05