Cem: Nato Membership Of Romania And Bulgaria Is Important For Security Of Turkey And Greece

ATHENS (A.A) - 29.03.2002 - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said on Friday that the membership of Romania and Bulgaria to NATO is important for the security of Turkey and Greece.
Foreign Minister Cem, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi came together in Athens, Greece the same evening. They exchanged views about turning the support of Turkey and Greece to NATO membership of Romania and Bulgaria into an action plan.
Speaking in the joint news conference held after the meeting, Cem said that the meeting has further strengthened the process which started.
''Turkey and Greece don't only support the NATO membership of Romania and Bulgaria as they are neighbours or as there are good relations. The NATO membership of our neighbours is very important for the security of Turkey, Greece, Europe and this problematic region of European continent. We attribute great importance to NATO membership of Romania and Bulgaria. We will continue to do our best on this issue,'' Cem said.
Papandreou said in his part that they decided to take certain initiatives within the scope of the action plan they discussed.
He said that the four countries would continue to meet among themselves, adding that their representatives in capitals like Washington, Brussels will take initiatives. ''We will also take initiatives in NATO member countries in the Mediterranean region, including Portugal. We also think that NGOs can play an active role. We'll also take up issues of terrorism and illegal immigration within the framework of our cooperation,'' Papandreou said.
Papandreu stressed that they also attribute importance to NATO membership perspectives of Albania and Croatia.
Greek Foreign Minister thanked Foreign Minister Ismail Cem for bringing them together in Istanbul.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Pasi said that this initiative had a symbolic meaning, adding that ''we took the first step in Istanbul. Istanbul meeting played an important role in our cooperation.''
Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana said that Istanbul meeting helped them see the responsibility the countries undertook clearly.
Meanwhile upon questions of journalists about the Middle East, Cem said that Turkey followed the developments with concern.
Cem said that Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ugur Ziyal summoned Israeli Ambassador to Foreign Ministry the same day and asked the assurance of personal safety of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. ''The incidents are very serious. I stated a short time ago that the two peoples entered into a common suicide process. Unfortunately I believe in this idea today more due to the recent developments. We are certainly against violence and terrorism. But the incidents that took place today won't solve the problem. I hope common sense could prevail.''
Foreign Ministers had a dinner after the news conference.
Cem is expected to return to Turkey on Saturday morning.