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ANKARA: Turkey: NATO Gain New Vision In Istanbul Summit

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  • ANKARA: Turkey: NATO Gain New Vision In Istanbul Summit

    Cihan News, Turkey
    June 30 2004

    Turkey: NATO Gain New Vision In Istanbul Summit

    ISTANBUL (CIHAN) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said
    on Tuesday NATO has gained new perspective and acceleration with the
    Istanbul summit.

    Erdogan recalled that Turkey first time successively hosted an NATO
    summit in its 52-year old NATO membership.

    The leaders of 26 member countries of NATO, its 20 partner countries
    and two observer countries came togeter in Istanbul summit during
    2-day summit.

    Turkish Prime Minister asked forbiddance from the Turkish people who
    faced hard time during the summit due to the massive security
    measures. "Sure, there were certain difficulties but Turkey has
    gained great prestige." He said that he is not talking about the
    organizational success but the hosting important NATO summit that is
    on the verge of turning point in function of the NATO.

    Stating that Islam culture and democracy culture, the tradition and
    modernity, the history and future had met in Istanbul, Erdogan said
    that Istanbul Summit witnessed the transformation process of NATO.

    Erdogan said that the Istanbul Cooperation initiative which aims to
    harmonized cooperation and consultation with the region countries, as
    it was foreseen by the G-8 meeting and US-EU summit, has been put
    into affect with Istanbul summit.

    "NATO has gained new acceleration and perspective with the decision
    taken in the Istanbul summit. The transformation of the NATO based on
    the new capabilities, new partnerships and new operations areas."

    Turkish Prime Minister said that NATO first time issued an new vision
    declaration since the London Summit in 1990.

    Meeting in Istanbul on 28 and 29 June, NATO Heads of State and
    Government expanded the Alliance`s presence in Afghanistan, agreed to
    assist Iraq with training, launched a new partnership initiative and
    adopted measures to improve NATO`s operational capabilities.

    Erdogan said that the meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai was
    historic. "The decision taken was sign of new era beginning. The
    allies reached an consensus on Iraq. "

    Referring to the relations between Turkey and Armenia, Erdogan hoped
    that the three party meeting between Armenia-Azerbaijan -Turkey would
    bring beneficial outcomes in future.

    Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül met with the Azerbaijan Foreign
    Minister, Elmar Mamadyarov and the Armenian Foreign Minister, Vardan
    Oskaryan within the framework of NATO Summit in Istanbul yesterday.
    Gül made a statement after 45-minute talk and he said that the peace
    and stability issue in Caucasians drawed attention of the
    international community. "EU and NATO is creating a new strategy for
    the Southern Caucasian and also a new strategic vision must be
    developed."

    The Turkish Prime Minister said that the meeting showed the tolerance
    between countries. Erdoğan said that win-win policy should be adopted
    to reach a successful results.

    Regarding the Turkish hostages in Iraq, Erdogan added that the main
    reason of the terrorism is poverty. He said that he could not
    understand why militants take the civilian people as hostages in
    Iraq. "It is incomprehensible why they kidnap people."

    Three Turkish hostages, who were abducted last week in Iraq, were
    released on Tuesday, Qatar based Al Jazeere satellite channel
    reported on Tuesday.

    Turkish workers who were working at a Turkish air-conditioner
    company, were abducted by the militants of the Jama`at al-Tawhid and
    Jihad which is linked with Abu Musab Al Zarkavi.

    The captors had threatened to behead the Turkish hostages unless
    Turkish construction firms operating in Iraq leave the country within
    72 hours. The deadline for the hostages had expired today.
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