REYKJAVIK (A.A) - 15.05.2002 - Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Wednesday met foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan during the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting which has started in Reykjavik on Tuesday.
Speaking after the meeting, Cem said, ''foreign ministers of three countries, who attended NATO spring term meetings, convened on Wednesday with the initiative of Turkey and with the support of Azerbaijan and Armenia. This is the first meeting among the foreign ministers. The ministers discussed ways of discussing existing security and regional problems and cooperation. The ministers stressed the importance of solving problems in the region. In this respect, we consider this meeting as a beneficial step taken for future.''
Pointing out that Turkey's political will would play a more influential role in solution of Caucasus question, and that Turkey worked with the United States in line with this political will, Cem said, ''Turkey and Russia signed an action plan called Eurasia Action Plan. We also work with the European Union (EU). As the three ministers, we are also included in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. We believe that we can meet each other, exchange our views, and make an additional contribution to MINSK process in this atmosphere. We also believe that we may bring a contribution to the solution of problems in our region.''
Cem said they were hopeful that those efforts would have a positive contribution, stressing that, ''during the meeting we discuss what could be done on security issue. We took up the changes which occurred around us following September 11 attacks.''
Cem said they decided to convene in the near future.
The Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers said the meeting was very beneficial, noting that they found the possibility to discuss security and problems of the region sincerely.
Foreign Minister Cem is expected to return to Turkey on Thursday.