Former President Demirel Receives Turkish, Armenian And Azeri Journalists

ANKARA, March 11 (A.A) - Former President Suleyman Demirel said on Monday that the peace in the Caucasus can bring many things to regional countries including Turkey, adding Turkey will always support peace in the region.
Demirel met with Turkish, Armenian and Azerbaijani journalists who came together in a meeting in Urgup town of central Nevsehir province held by Diplomacy Correspondents Association (DMD) the same day.
Yusuf Kanlý, the Chairman of DMD said that the aim of the three countries' journalists is not to find solution to the problems, but to contribute to the formation of suitable basis for solution and he requested Demirel to sign the declaration of Urgup formed at the meeting.
Demirel said that he signed the declaration showing his pleasure over such an initiative, summing up the developments that took place in the Caucasus following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Noting that Turkey was ready to set up good relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia when they gained their independence, Demirel said that ''but the thing wanted didn't take place, the peace was not maintained. The war is not to the benefit of anybody, even the winner loses many things.''
Demirel said that the initiative of three countries' journalists is important, adding that ''every country has to help in installation of the peace according to its own power. I hope peace in the Caucasus is not that far away.''
Answering a question on broadcast in Kurdish language, Demirel said ''a public opinion on this matter has not formed yet. However, the Turkish people would never accept something that would risk the unity of Turkey. Turkey's unity is above everything. All countries have problems but all problems should be resolved without fighting. Turkey will finally bring a solution to this problem.''
About the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, Demirel said that Ankara first demanded support and then cooperation to reach success.
Responding to the question of an Armenian reporter, Demirel said ''Democracy is difficult, not ruling a country.''
Stating that Turkey has been living in peace for 78 years, Demirel said Turkey had a great number of neighbors and it had problems with almost all of them since these countries came into existence after the Ottoman Empire's collapse.