KOFI ANNAN VISITS TURKEY

The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, as part of his long Middle East trip, visited Turkey. Having appointments with high level bureaucrats and statesmen including Prime Minister Erdogan, stayed for two days in Turkey. Attending many of his meetings in Ankara, Mr. Bagis was present at his meeting and lunch with the PM.

His visit, a day after the voting in the Grand Assembly to send troops to Lebanon, had raised eyebrows in the press. Mr. Bagis commented that his visit was welcomed as there were many issues that had to be discussed with Mr. Annan. "Lebanon surely was the hot topic" said Bagis, "but issues on urgently ending the isolation to The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Alliance of Civilizations project and the Greater Middle East Peace process were also discussed. Mr. Annan's peaceful approach to these matters is always welcome in Turkey"