Ankara- Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday stressed the importance of the strategic relationship between Syria and Turkey which, in its strength and firmness, has become an example to follow in terms of relations between countries.

During his meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri, President Gul highlighted the need of joint work to enhance the developing cooperation relations between both countries and the necessity of expanding their prospects in response to the historical and cultural ties binding the two friendly peoples.

The Turkish President was briefed by Premier Otri on the outcomes of the Second Meeting of the Syrian-Turkish High Level Strategic Cooperation Council and the concluded draft agreements aimed at increasing the trade exchange volume, expanding the base of economic and investment cooperation, carrying out gas linking and electricity projects and developing the border crossings and the transport system with its different fields.

The Joint Statement of the Council’s 2nd Meeting
In the same context, the joint statement of the 2nd Meeting of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Turkey and Syria, held in Ankara on December 20-21, 2010, under the co-chairmanship of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Syrian counterpart Mohammad Naji Otri, was issued.

The Turkish and Syrian Ministers in charge of foreign affairs, foreign trade and investment, customs, and state planning, interior affairs, defense, finance, labor, and social security, transportation, communication, energy, oil and electricity, agriculture, forests and environment, public works, housing and municipalities participated in the meeting.

During the meeting both sides;
- recalled their strong and deep-rooted historical, social and cultural bonds as well as the brotherly and good-neighborly relations.
- expressed their satisfaction with the progress achieved since their first meeting in Damascus on December 23rd, 2010.
- reiterated their determination to further develop, enhance, and deepen their cooperation in all fields of their relations.
- emphasized that their relations are developing on the basis of mutual respect and benefit between the two countries and their peoples.
- also stressed the importance of continued coordination and cooperation between Turkey and Syria regarding regional issues, with the aim of establishing lasting peace, stability and security in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
The two sides thoroughly reviewed the efforts conducted by vice Ministries and institutions of the two countries through mutual visits, meetings and correspondence.
The Ministers form both sides held bilateral meetings and followed up the implementation of the 51 documents signed in their own areas of competence during the First Council meeting on December 23, 2009 and explored ways and means of further developing areas of cooperation.

The two sides stressed that contributing to security and stability in the region constitutes an important dimension of their cooperation, but reiterating their commitment to previous agreements in the field of security cooperation, the two sides signed an "Agreement on Joint Cooperation against Terrorism and Terrorist Organizations", further strengthening their security cooperation.

They expressed their satisfaction with the level of their bilateral security cooperation and confirmed their determination to deepen this cooperation, which also constitutes a contribution to regional security and stability.

They also noted that a number of meetings, workshops, seminars, courses and technical visits have taken place between the representatives of the relevant authorities of Turkey and Syria at various levels to enhance cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, customs, agriculture, standards, transportation and communication, health and housing since the first meeting of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC).This is a welcome development confirming the fact that the agreements signed at the first meeting have been implemented effectively by the two sides.

Turkish and Syrian sides are also determined to further enhance their cooperation in the fields of maritime and aviation affairs.

The Prime Ministers reiterated their support for the continuation of the "Turkey-Syria Property Commission" meetings which had been set up to find a solution to the historical property issues.

They expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which went into force on 1 January 2007 and emphasized that the FTA is one of the most important tools to increase trade between the two countries.

Having agreed to strengthen further their comprehensive strategic partnership in the field of energy in a spirit of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit, the two sides expressed their satisfaction over the level of existing cooperation in the field of energy.

They also noted with satisfaction that the recent efforts for joint exploration and production of hydrocarbon resources and in the field of electricity and natural gas have made an important contribution to the steady development of this cooperation.
The two sides noted the results of the third meeting of the Arab-Turkish Cooperation Forum which was held in Istanbul on June 10, 2010, with a view to strengthening Turkish-Arab relations in an institutional framework serving the Turkish and Arab interests.
In this context, they made reference to the announcement of the establishment of the Quartet High Level Strategic Council between Syria, Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon on the sidelines of the said Meeting. This multi-lateral cooperation mechanism is envisaged to lead the establishment of an area of free trade and movement between these countries.
The two sides expressed their full support for a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement in Cyprus under the auspices of the good-offices mission of the United Nations Secretary-General and on the basis of the well-established UN parameters, with a view to establishing a bi-communal partnership on the basis of political equality.
During the meetings, the two sides also reviewed developments in the Middle East, regional and international issues of common concern. They stressed the importance of achieving peace, security, stability and prosperity for the peoples of both countries and region. Developments in Iraq were among the primary issues discussed during the meetings.

As friends and neighbors to Iraq, both sides agreed on the need to support efforts to establish security and stability in the country, which would help provide peace and prosperity for the Iraqi political groups which resulted in the convening of the Iraqi parliament on November 11 and election of the Speaker and the President. They also welcomed the establishment of the new government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on the basis of the accord among the political groups.

Both sides strongly emphasized the importance that they attached to the preservation of unity, stability, independence, security and the territorial integrity of Iraq.
The two sides stressed the importance that they attach to the preservation of calm, stability and political unity in Lebanon. Emphasizing that the stability in Lebanon is crucial for the entire region, they reiterated their commitment to continue their efforts to help promote dialogue and reconciliation among all groups in the Lebanese political spectrum.

Emphasizing the urgent need to find a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict on its all three tracks, the two sides reiterated their conviction that the just and viable solution must be achieved on the basis of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, the Principle of Land-for-Peace, the Madrid Conference Terms of Reference and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The two sides expressed concern with the fact that the peace talks have now been stalled due to continued Israeli intransigence. Both sides reiterated that Israeli settlement policy in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and other occupied Arab territories are illegal under international law and constitutes an obstacle to peace.

The two sides remain concerned with the continued plight of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. Emphasizing the urgency of the lifting of the illegal blockade imposed on the Gaza people, they reiterated their commitment to keep contributing to the international efforts aimed at improving the humanitarian situation on the ground.
The Syrian side reiterated its appreciation for the honest and central role that Turkey plays to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the region, and welcomed its efforts in the indirect talks between Syria and Israel.

The two sides agreed to continue their coordination and cooperation in this area with a view to achieving a lasting solution, which guarantees the full Israeli withdrawal from the Syrian Golan occupied in 1967.

The two sides expressed their satisfaction with the support they extended to one another’s candidatures in the international and regional organizations.

Supporting the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear, the two sides reviewed the latest developments related to the Iranian nuclear issue, and stressed the importance of finding a diplomatic solution to this issue, while recognizing the right of all states to peaceful use of nuclear energy. They also stressed on the universality of the NPT and the necessity that Israel accedes to the NPT as non-nuclear state.
The two sides welcomed the signing of the eleven cooperation documents and decided on the implementation in the immediate future of a number of joint cooperation projects.

SANA