IZMIR - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Monday that world peace had gained more importance today.
Sezer sent a message to the International Peace Conference held by International Rotary in western Izmir province.
In his message, Sezer said that globalization and ethnic conflicts, extreme nationalism, fanaticism, proliferation of mass destructive weapons and terrorism had ''started to seriously threaten'' international security.
Sezer went on saying, ''world peace has gained more importance today. It is obvious that a sustainable and universal peace required fight against such problems by achieving international cooperation and solidarity. Reaching a real peace also requires finding quick and lasting solutions to structural problems like injustice in distribution of income, poverty, and insufficiency in education possibilities.''
Reminding that Turkey had based its political philosophy and foreign policy on the word of Great Leader Ataturk that ''Peace at home, peace in the world'', Sezer said, ''Turkey has played an important role in protection and strengthening of peace and stability in regional and international level for 80 years.''
Sezer added, ''Turkey is the guarantee of peace, stability and international cooperation in a large geography covering the Balkans, Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia which is facing several uncertainties today. To this end, I believe that organization of such a conference in our country with the contributions of the International Rotary is of special importance.''