Sezer Says Countries Should Extend More Effort To Understand Each Other

VARNA (AA) - Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Friday that countries should extend more effort to understand each other well.
     The morning session of the ''Regional Forum on Cultural Corridors in Southeast Europe'' was held in Varna, Bulgaria. The forum is hosted in association with the Bulgarian government, the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Council of Europe (COE).
     Sezer indicated that dialogue between civilizations became more important due to new multi-dimensional threats against international peace. Stating that there should be a good communication between nations, Sezer said countries should listen carefully to each other.
     Sezer stressed that he believed that talks which would be held within the scope of the forum and Varna Declaration which would be made public on Saturday would contribute to preservation and development of common heritage of humanity.
     Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov said in his part that such kind of forums played a key role in consolidation of regional stability and it could also function as a role model for regions such as the Caucasus where there are unresolved problems.
     UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura that UNESCO attributed special importance to culture in international relations, adding that Varna process would positively affect all regional countries.
     Council of Europe (COE) Secretary General Terry Davis said that the forum would contribute to the region's cultural and economic development.
     After a multivision show explaining the progress achieved regarding a project carried out in Bulgaria, the presidents who attended the forum also explained their views.
     Croatian President Stipe Mesic said that cultural cooperation should be developed within the scope of European integration.
     Albanian President Alfred Moisiu indicated that the forum was also important in respect of improving political dialogue between the countries in the region. Likewise Greek President Karolos Papoulias said that the forum was important in order to end the conflicts in the region.
     Presidents of Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Chairman also said they were ready to support formation of cultural corridors.
     (E֭֓-ULG)
2005-05-20