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  • ANKARA: Turkish Foreign Minister Views Deals With Russia, Ties With

    TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER VIEWS DEALS WITH RUSSIA, TIES WITH GREECE, ARMENIA

    Anadolu Agency
    May 13 2010
    Turkey

    Ankara, 13 May 2010: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said
    Thursday [13 May] the visa exemption agreement between Turkey and
    Russia that was signed on Wednesday was a "revolutionary step".

    Speaking on Haberturk TV channel, Davutoglu said that Russian tourists
    may come to Turkey without visa this summer.

    Turkish businesspeople, intellectuals and tourists will be able to
    travel to Russia without a need for visa, Davutoglu said.

    Four high level visits took place between Turkey and Russia in a year.

    Our relations were not competition but rather cooperation and economic
    integration, Davutoglu said.

    In the past five years, the nature of Turkey-Russia relations went
    through a change. This change would make serious contributions to
    stability from the Balkans to China, Davutoglu said.

    The model of "High Level Strategic Cooperation Council" was one
    developed by Turkey. In the event economic union is established with
    countries in such councils, the Turkish economy would benefit from
    such an entity, Davutoglu said.

    Touching on energy agreements made with Russia, Davutoglu said that
    such agreements defeated the thesis that Turkey and Russia were in
    competition with each other in the field of energy.

    We are establishing a model with Russia that shows how we are
    progressing into cooperation and (economic) integration rather than
    competition, Davutoglu said.

    In regard to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit
    to Greece on Friday, Davutoglu said that the Turkish government was
    working to create an atmosphere of psychological change.

    We are trying to change the perception that the two countries are in
    competition with each other, Davutoglu said.

    Our goal in bilateral relations with Greece is not merely to minimize
    tensions. We have to maximize the number of areas in which cooperation
    may take place so that no notion of tension remains in minds,
    Davutoglu said.

    We do want to reach economic integration with Greece. We plan
    to develop relations in areas ranging from economy to tourism,
    Davutoglu said.

    In reference to Turkey's relations with Armenia, Davutoglu stressed
    that no one would benefit if the protocols signed between Turkey and
    Armenia get suspended.

    Turning back from the protocols is neither to the interest of Turkey
    nor Armenia, Davutoglu said.

    Just as in the Balkans, Turkey will help realize "psychological
    revolution" in the Caucasus. We will turn the Caucasus into a region
    of peace and security, Davutoglu also said.
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