ERDOGAN MEETS ISRAELI PRESIDENT KATSAV
JERUSALEM - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey has always been the guarantee of peace in its region.
Erdogan met Israeli President Moshe Katsav.
Speaking after the meeting, Katsav said Palestine, Israel and regional and global issues were discussed. ''We have conveyed Mr. Erdogan our belief in regional values, holiness of life and democratic values,'' Katsav noted.
Erdogan in his part said, ''our meeting included many areas between Turkey and Israel. We had the opportunity to discuss trade, economy and political relations as well as regional and international issues. We mainly focused on what Turkey could do to contribute to Middle East peace.''
When a journalist asked, ''have you asked for a summit?'' Erdogan said, ''we will meet the parties. We will obviously be positive to such a request.''
When a foreign journalist said, ''you have previously criticized Israel. What is your aim to be in Israel at the moment?'' Erdogan said, ''if you pursue the process well, you will better know the dimensions of relations between Turkey and Israel. Turkey has always been the guarantee of peace in the region and will continue to be so.''
Replying to the question of another foreign journalist about nuclear studies of Iran, Erdogan said Turkey opposes to any kind of weapons threatening human beings and humanity.