RIYADH - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who is currently in Riyadh, said on Friday that normalization of the region of war would be for the benefit of everybody, stating that nobody could benefit from tension.
Following the regional consultation meeting, Gul replied to questions of reporters and informed reporters about the speech he delivered at the meeting.
Gul said he mentioned the meeting which had taken place in Istanbul on January 23 in his speech and stated that everybody exerted efforts to prevent war, but Iraqi government did not understand anyone.
''We are face to face with a fact today. We should take lesson from it,'' he stated.
Pointing out that everybody should act calmly for settlement of stability and peace in the region, Gul said normalization of the region normal would also help solution of Palestinian issue.
Gul said, ''normalization of the region is for the benefit of all of us. No one will benefit from tension.''
Upon a question, Gul said that he conveyed Turkey's views on whole of Iraq at the meeting and stated, ''if any group tries to provide superiority in Iraq to settle peace as soon as possible in that country, it will make the problem more difficult. Thus, those things should not be allowed.''
Upon a question regarding recent developments between the United States and Syria, Gul said that nobody would benefit from tension and everybody should learn something from what was happening.
Noting that Syria did not accept claims or accusations, Gul said that Syrian side told they took every kind of measures in their borders and did not have any chemical weapons.
Gul said that he could visit Syria in a few weeks and added that he had met with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher.
(EÖ-GC-AY) 18.04.2003