Indian PM Vajpayee Visits Ankara

Vajpayee said that because of Turkey’s own terrorist problem, India’s position would not be unfamiliar, alluding to the disputed territory of Kashmir.

In answers to reporters about a troop deployment, Vaypayee preferred to make short and clear statements and said: "The UN Security Council has no decision on the subject yet. When such a decision has been reached we will make our decision as well."

On the other hand, Erdogan made a detailed statement and said: "I would like to underline the fact that Turkey will go there [Iraq] not for the security of a particular ethnic group but for the security of all Iraqi people. We see this as fulfilling the duty of a neighbour and speeding up Iraq’s process of democratization."

On the subject of terrorism, Vaypayee stated that it was a "threat" and "democratic societies and the public have been deeply wounded by terrorism in the past."

Erdogan added, "Terror has no religion, nation and race. This is a phenomenon. It is necessary to work together internationally to combat terror."

During Vaypayee’s visit, four separate agreements have been signed between Turkey and India, including one on a joint working group on terrorism.

It was also agreed to increase the annual trade volume to US$1 billion. Erdogan stated that this goal should be achieved by 2005, and announced that cancelled Turkish Airline flights to New Delhi would resume as of today.