Anadolu Agency, Turkey
July 9 2004

Pepe: We Would Like To Share Our Experiences With Azerbaijan

BAKU - Turkish Environment and Forestry Minister Osman Pepe said on
Friday that Turkey has a great experience in forestry issues, and
added ''we would like to share our experience with Azerbaijan.''

Pepe and Azerbaijani Ecology and Natural Resources Minister
Huseyngulu Bagirov signed a Cooperation Agreement on Protection of
Environment in Baku today and held a joint press conference.

Pepe said that they encountered various problems in protecting the
environment and launched an appeal for a public support in this area.


On the other hand, Bagirov said that there were wide opportunities
for a cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan in the environment
matters. He added that the basis of this cooperation will be provided
with the agreement signed today.

Answering questions of reporters, Pepe said that cooperation among
the regional countries was very important to solve environmental
problems. ''Without cooperation'' he added, ''every country should
pay a heavy price''.

Upon a question about the nuclear power plant in Armenia, Pepe
reminded that the power plant is very close to Turkey's border. He
said however that tests were conducted in the region and it was
revealed that the radiation level was not above the accepted limits.

Answering to another question, Pepe indicated that Turkey is very
interested in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline and adding that
''meanwhile they were also focused on protection and diversity of the
environment''.