ANKARA - German Interior Minister Otto Schily arrived in Ankara on Monday as the official guest of Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu.
Aksu welcomed Schily and accompanying delegation at Ankara's Esenboga Airport.
Aksu and Schily held a joint press conference at the airport.
Speaking at the press conference, Aksu said, ''Germany has been one of most important allies of Turkey for years. Both Turkey and Germany have been paying careful attention to further develop their cooperation in every field. I believe that this cooperation has yielded very beneficial results for our countries. Signing of the agreement for cooperation in fight against terrorism and organized crimes will be high on agenda of our contacts with Mr. Schily. We hope that a new and more beneficial era will begin in relations between Turkey and Germany after signing of the agreement.''
''During today's meetings, we will take up the issue of fight against illegal migration, human smuggling, terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and other organized crimes,'' he added.
Meanwhile, German Interior Minister Schily said in his part that it was his third visit to Ankara during his term in office as the interior minister.
Noting that relations between Turkey and Germany were based friendship and mutual confidence, Schily said, ''during my visit to Ankara, I will sign an agreement for cooperation in fight against terrorism and organized crimes. This agreement will consolidate our bilateral relations.''
''Our extending support to Turkey in such a difficult period is quite natural. We have proved that we were ready to support Turkey in recent weeks,'' he added.
(UK-AÖ) 03.03.2003