Gul In Damascus / Syria

Gul said that those visits were of great importance for improvement of bilateral relations and stated that it was very natural for two neighbor countries which had historical ties to further improve cooperation.

Al-Shara said that he and Gul reached consensus on Al-Asad’s visit to Turkey and stated that this visit would be a significant opportunity and a turning point for Turkey-Syria relations and Turkey-Arab world relations.

Meanwhile, sources said that Syria has not paid a visit at level of head of state to Turkey yet and added that the visit which was planned to be paid to Turkey in September would be very important with respect to relations between the two countries.

GUL: WE ARE PLEASED TO SEE THAT TENSION BETWEEN U.S. AND SYRIA HAS DECREASED

”Our government wants these relations to further improve. But these relations don’t constitute an impediment for developing relations with countries such as Syria, Iran and Russia. On the contrary, these relations could contribute to solution of the tension in the region. Therefore, Turkey is pleased to see that the tension between Syria and the U.S. decreased recently. If we can contribute to that, we will be pleased because the region needs stability and lasting peace.”

Gul said that tripartite meetings took place among Turkey, Syria and Iran from time to time, adding that Turkey regarded more beneficial to hold these meetings at the bilateral and higher levels for the moment.

When asked if Turkey was concerned about the movements of Kurdish groups in north of Iraq, Gul said that Turkey wanted everybody in Iraq to live in peace and prosperity.

Gul said that the coming out of a civilian administration that would reflect the basic elements in Iraq was very important for the future of Iraq, adding that ”Kurds in north of Iraq had to take part in this administration.”

Gul stated that the region was kept under control by Operation Northern Watch which acted via Turkey before the war and there were not much clashes there, reminding that nevertheless certain militia came out in the region. Gul said that when the civilian regime was set up, single Iraq would have single military power.

Syrian Foreign Minister Shara said in his part that the disagreement with the U.S. stemmed from certain misunderstandings and from the fact that the history of the region was not known well. Shara said the U.S. thought that Syria would interfere with internal affairs of Iraq after the war, adding that ”neither Syria does that, nor the Iraqi people accepts that. Iraq will determine its destiny itself, nobody will interfere with that.”

GUL: NO DANGER SUCH AS DIVISION OF IRAQ

Gul said on Tuesday that everyone attributed great importance to territorial integrity of Iraq and stated that he thought that there was no danger such as division of Iraq.

When asked whether or not Turkey had concerns over division of Iraq, Gul said that a new period started in Iraq and efforts were being exerted to form a system which would include all groups in Iraq in the new administration.

”Everybody attributes great importance to territorial integrity of Iraq. Neighbor countries of Iraq always made it public. Thus, I think that there is not such a danger,” he noted.

Stating that not only Turkey and Syria but also all regional countries attributed great importance to territorial integrity of the country, Gul stressed that the United States, Britain, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council accepted territorial integrity of Iraq as basis in their declarations.

Upon a question regarding U.S. forces in Iraq, Gul said that a new government which would protect territorial integrity should come to this country and added that but it could not happen right now.

”It is not true at the moment to wait for withdrawal of foreign forces from the country. Because chaos remains behind them, but of course civilian government should be formed as soon as possible,” Gul stated and noted that Turkey attributed great importance inclusion of all groups in Iraq in this government.

Gul said that he also conveyed President Ahmet Necdet Sezer’s greetings to Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and stated that they were exerting efforts for improvement of Turkey-Syria relations in every field.

Syrian Foreign Minister Shara said in his part that Syria’s policy on territorial integrity of Iraq was clear and stated that final declaration of regional cooperation meeting in Riyadh also underlined this point.

Stating that situation in Iraq was quite difficult at the moment, Shara said that Syria attributed utmost importance to protection of territorial integrity of Iraq and Iraqi people’s determining government by their will.

Shara hosted a luncheon in the honor of Gul after the meeting.