ANKARA - Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul has stated that his administration discussed the strategic partnership and relations based on mutual interests with the U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who recently paid a visit to Ankara.
In a speech delivered at his party's group meeting at the Turkish parliament, Gul said that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the Balkans this week will refresh memories in the region. ''Erdogan's visit will cause winds of Turks in the Balkans and will contribute to brotherly ties,'' told Gul.
''Erdogan's visit to tsunami-stricken southeast Asia last week was very successful. Turkey will develop its relations with brotherly nations,'' expressed Gul.
In reference to the assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri, Gul indicated that Hariri's death caused pain for the Turks. ''Hariri was a figure that brought peace and development to Lebanon,'' remarked Gul.
In regard to Rice's visit to Ankara last week, Gul indicated that Turkish-American relations have a history of more than 60 years. ''Rice's visit to Turkey was very prominent. Turkey was the first country in the region that was visited by Rice. This shows the importance the U.S. attributes to Turkey.''
On Iraq, Gul said that now is the day for every Iraqi to look at Baghdad and to realize that they are free citizens of Iraq. ''This is the day to start building a new Iraq that is democratic.''
Gul stressed that the Iraqi elections took place under very difficult conditions. ''There have been many criticisms of Iraqi elections. Apparently, no one single group can form the government,'' expressed Gul.
''As Turkey, we believe that the territorial integrity and political unity of Iraq are crucial. An Iraq whose territorial integrity and political unity are not preserved would be a headache both for the Iraqis and for the region.''
Finally, touching on economic developments in Turkey, Gul stated that Turkey grew by 9.7 percent in 2004. ''Such a growth is impressive by any standards. This growth pattern will continue thanks to our successful economic policy, financial discipline and long-term planning,'' commented Gul.