Turkey's President Abdullah Gul said Thursday that Turkey strived for peace in the Middle East and solution of the Palestine issue would make the greatest contribution to the world peace.
Gul who is visiting Saudi Arabia held a press conference in Riyadh and told reporters that Palestine issue was at the core of his meetings with Saudi officials. He said overcoming the division and establishing the national unity in Palestine were the utmost priorities adding that they were in unison with Saudi authorities over this.
Gul said Turkey supported the Arab Peace Plan put forth by Saudi King Abdallah expressing his "hope that Israel would also consider it for lasting peace". He called on all related parties to take action to revive the Arab Peace Plan.
Answering a question as to whether Turkey's criticism against Israel offensive and its support to Hamas may affect Turkey's EU bid, Gul said Turkey's relations with the EU were a different subject adding that Turkey's accession process continued. He underlined that Turkey supported the entire Palestinian nation and did not specifically support one group over the other.
Gul said relations with Saudi Arabia were improving in all areas adding that cooperation between the two leading countries of the Muslim world would contribute to regional peace.
"There would be no economic development or happiness for people in a region where there is no security or stability. Priority should be given to overcoming the instability in the region, efforts should be exerted to promote peace in the region," said Gul.
Gul said they agreed to work to boost the trade volume between the two countries to 10 billion USD.
Gul proceeded to the Riyadh Military Airbase to depart for Jeddah where he will meet Organization of the Islamic Conference Secretary General Elmeleddin Ihsanoglu and address a group of Turkish and Saudi businessmen at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
...