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ANKARA: Turkish F.M. Asks For Russia's Support Against Terrorism

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  • ANKARA: Turkish F.M. Asks For Russia's Support Against Terrorism

    The Anatolian Times, Turkey
    June 2 2006


    Turkish F.M. Asks For Russia's Support Against Terrorism


    ANKARA - Turkish FM Abdullah Gul asked his Russian counterpart Sergey
    Lavrov that Russia supports Turkey in its fight against terrorism.
    Gul and Lavrov had a dinner in the Turkish Foreign Minister's
    Residence yesterday.

    According to diplomats, two foreign ministers exchanged views about
    bilateral relations and regional topics, as well as Turkey's EU
    membership bid.

    Lavrov welcomed measures Turkey has taken regarding the Caucasus,
    while Gul asked Lavrov to extend support to Turkey's fight against
    the terrorist organization PKK. He demanded that Russia take measures
    against illegal activities of the terrorist organization on its
    territory.

    The two ministers also discussed the so-called Armenian genocide
    allegations, as well as Armenian-Azerbaijani controversy.


    -GENOCIDE ALLEGATIONS-

    Diplomats quoted Lavrov as saying that ''the Armenian allegations are
    not a dominant factor in Turkish-Russian relations; although it is
    important for the Armenians''. In the meeting, Lavrov said ''they
    (Russians) are against using such historical incidents as a political
    tool.''

    Supporting Turkey's suggestion to set up a joint commission composed
    of Turkish-Armenian historians to investigate the Armenian claims,
    Lavrov said that they are ready to extend necessary support to Turkey
    regarding this issue.

    Meanwhile, Gul said that unless the controversy between Armenia and
    Azerbaijan is not settled before Azerbaijani elections, a solution
    may not be reached within next five or ten years. ''Therefore, we
    hope Russia will contribute to the settlement of the problem in the
    possible shortest time,'' he noted.


    -CONSULATES IN TURKEY AND RUSSIA-

    On the other hand, diplomats said that Russia plans to upgrade its
    consulate in southern Turkish city of Antalya to a consulate general,
    while Turkey thinks of opening a consulate general in St. Petersburg.


    In their meeting, Gul told Lavrov that he is thinking of
    participating in ''Paris Charter'' meeting to be held in Russia on
    July 27th.
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