ANKARA, Feb 8 (A.A) - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem and his Libyan counterpart Mohammed Abd al-Rahman Shalgam held joint news conference following their meetings.
Prior to the news conference, the two ministers signed a protocol pertaining to the establishment of permanent consultation mechanism between Turkey and Libya, and consulship agreement.
Cem said preliminary works continued to see whether or not transportation of waters of Manavgat river could be made from Turkey to Libya, and noted that, ''we want to accelerate the works to transport waters of Manavgat River to Libya. This is not only an economic but also a symbolical issue.''
Pointing out that Turkish-Libyan relations improved in the recent years, Cem said both sides were willing to further improve relations.
''Libya is important for Turkey,'' said Cem and pointed out the historical dimension of bilateral relations. Cem recalled that joint fight had been launched against the Italians who occupied Libya with imperialist aims. Cem said Mustafa Kemal Ataturk had stayed in Banghazi for sometime and fought against occupiers.
Cem said they wanted to further improve relations, adding that they expected a delegation from Libya within this framework, adding that the delegation in question would hold contacts in related institutions and ministries.
Noting that Libya was interested in Turkey in oil, energy, investment and banking areas, Cem said they targeted to prepare a joint action plan to see what the two countries could do in third countries.
The Libyan minister will meet State Minister Edip Safter Gaydali in this respect this afternoon.
Cem said he and Shalgam developed an idea pertaining to the tomb of Turgut Reis, the Ottoman sailor. Cem said they would search for ways to repair the tomb, which is in Tripoli, with a joint work.
Ismail Cem said that he would start an initiative to read and understand well certain documents which are important for the history of Libya.
Noting that they took up important international issues like Cyprus, Iraq, Middle East, Afghanistan and Central Asia in the meetings, Cem said that the negotiations about these issues would continue during the lunch.
Cem said that they had briefied the guest minister about Cyprus, adding that ''Turkey and Libya can contribute to each other in the field of economy, politics and culture.''
The guest minister Shalgam said in his part that the number of Turkish firms which worked in Libya exceeded 130 and the amount of their business volume exceeded 10 billion dollars to date.
Noting that 70-80 percent of the products consumed by the Libyan people were made in Turkey, Shalgam said that there are Libyan students who study in Turkey.
''We want to improve the relations in every field, we will determine new working fields to this end,'' said Shalgam.
Shalgam said that he conveyed the concern of Libya about the situation of the Palestinian people and about Iraq during his talks with Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.
All sides have to launch efforts to prevent further escalation of the tension against Iraq, he said, adding that the region could not stand further escalation of the tension.
When asked if the consultation mechanism formed between the two countries was against Iraq, Shalgam said that it was a general mechanism which didn't cover a certain country.
Shalgam said that he would go to Greece and Cyprus soon, adding that it was beneficial for him to come to Turkey and get the views of Turkey about the island.
Shalgam said that ''Cyprus is close to us and we monitor closely Cyprus due to our interests. Our contacts with Turkey are important. I benefitted from the views of Mr. Cem about Cyprus.''