MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS SHOULD BE REFRESHED

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis made a speech in the workshop titled "Cost of Conflict in the Middle East" organised within the framework of the "Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilisations"

Bagis stated that ""Cost of Conflict in the Middle East" report had been launched by the United Nations in January 2009 and it would be appropriate to discuss the findings within the framework of the "Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilisations"

Speaking about the basic philosophy of the "Alliance of Civilisations", Bagis said they believed that different countries, beliefs and cultures could live together being committed to this philosophy.

Indicating that a humanity tragedy had been witnessed in Gaza in recent past, Bagis said that the tragedy in Gaza overshadowed the peace process in the Middle East and recent efforts were focused on ceasefire negotiations rather than a permanent peace agreement.

Stating that the peace process should be refreshed as soon as possible, Bagis said Turkey carried out a proactive diplomacy in order to facilitate the establishment of peace and increased its humanitarian and medical support to the region.

Emphasizing that Turkey was adherent to the target of reaching a comprehensive peace in that region, Bagis said Turkey supported a two nation solution which would provide the two states live in peace within acknowledged territories.

Pointing out the importance of Turkey's membership to the EU for the settlement of the conflict, Bagis said EU membership was important for the Muslim world also.

Bagis, answering a question on the response of the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Davos, reminded that he had also been in Davos together with the Prime Minister and said that the Prime Minster had become the voice of world conscience. He continued: "He told the things which could not be told by other people though they wanted to do so. We wish other leaders could tell the same things."

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, within the framework of the "Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilisations", made contacts with Michael Spindelegger, Austrian Foreign Minister and Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration. Resource: AA