Palestinian leader Abbas to visit Turkey

Abbas will meet President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday, and Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc and the Turkish Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu on Wednesday.

Abbas and accompanying delegation will depart from Ankara on Wednesday.

Officials will discuss bilateral relations as well as Middle East peace process during meetings.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, in his tour to Palestine and Israel in the beginning of January, said that Turkey was ready to make concrete contributions to Middle East peace process, and called sides to act with an understanding and will for a permanent final solution to Middle East problem.

Under the development of bilateral relations, officials will take up Turkey’s assistance projects to Palestinian people, and opening an office of Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) in Palestine, and rising the level of Jerusalem Consulate General which arranges relations with Palestinian administration.

Meanwhile, a Turkish delegation which is headed by Southeast Anatolia Project (GAP) Administration Chairman Muammer Yasar Ozgul will leave for the region to hold meetings today.

The delegation comprised of 20 people will work on what can be done in Palestine with Turkey’s contribution and possible projects which can be developed jointly by two countries.