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Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkey
December 9, 2014 Tuesday
Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia discuss energy, transport
Meeting is important because it paves way for cooperation between the
three nations in almost every field, Zeki Levent Gumrukcu, Turkey's
ambassador to Georgia told The Anadolu Agency
TBILISI
The foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia will meet
Wednesday in Turkey's northeastern province of Kars to discuss energy
and transportation projects.
The meeting is important because it paves the way for cooperation
between the three nations in almost every field, Zeki Levent Gumrukcu,
Turkey's ambassador to Georgia told The Anadolu Agency.
"I believe that the bridge of peace established by Turkey, Georgia,
and Azerbaijan will benefit all neighboring countries," Gumrukcu said.
"Relations between the three countries are significant, both
regionally and globally."
On the agenda are discussions about developments in the
Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline, the South Caucasus Pipeline and the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline.
Turkish and Georgian citizens can travel between the two countries
without a visa or passport, which Gumrukcu said is a good example of
improving relations.
"Turkish businessmen invest in almost every sector in Georgia,"
Gumrukcu said. "Turkey is a key trade partner for the country."
Gumrukcu said around 500 Georgians take Turkish classes at the Yunus
Emre Turkish Cultural Center every year.
He also said Turkey is playing a leading role "in supporting Georgia's
integration into the EU and NATO."
Gumrukcu said conflicts over Abkhazia, South Ossetia and
Nagorno-Karabakh have led to a lack of "cooperation in the region."
Abkhazia, which, considers itself an independent state, is a part of
Georgia's territory according to the Georgian government, UN and the
majority of world governments.
Similarly, Russia formally recognized South Ossetia as an independent
state, which declared independence from Georgia after being the focus
of a war between Russia and Georgia in 2008.
Meanwhile, Nagorno-Karabakh, has been a conflict zone between
Azerbaijan and Armenia with the Armenians demanding control of
Karabakh.
Turkey, a close partner of Azerbaijan, has demanded Armenia's withdraw
from Nagorno-Karabakh and negotiations have so far failed to produce a
permanent peace agreement.
- Ahiska Turks
The Turkish ambassador said repatriations for Ahiska Turks are still slow.
"Unfortunately, Georgia, the international community and Ahiska Turks
are all unsatisfied with the process," he said.
Ahiska Turks, originally from Southern Georgia close to Turkey's
border, are spread throughout the former Soviet Union, Turkey and the
United States. It has been 70 years since they were expelled by Joseph
Stalin from their homeland.
Having faced discrimination and human rights abuses since then, they
struggled to keep their culture alive and ensure their own safety. The
community acts as a cultural bridge between Georgia and Turkey.
www.aa.com .tr/en
December 9, 2014 Tuesday
Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia discuss energy, transport
Meeting is important because it paves way for cooperation between the
three nations in almost every field, Zeki Levent Gumrukcu, Turkey's
ambassador to Georgia told The Anadolu Agency
TBILISI
The foreign ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Georgia will meet
Wednesday in Turkey's northeastern province of Kars to discuss energy
and transportation projects.
The meeting is important because it paves the way for cooperation
between the three nations in almost every field, Zeki Levent Gumrukcu,
Turkey's ambassador to Georgia told The Anadolu Agency.
"I believe that the bridge of peace established by Turkey, Georgia,
and Azerbaijan will benefit all neighboring countries," Gumrukcu said.
"Relations between the three countries are significant, both
regionally and globally."
On the agenda are discussions about developments in the
Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline, the South Caucasus Pipeline and the
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline.
Turkish and Georgian citizens can travel between the two countries
without a visa or passport, which Gumrukcu said is a good example of
improving relations.
"Turkish businessmen invest in almost every sector in Georgia,"
Gumrukcu said. "Turkey is a key trade partner for the country."
Gumrukcu said around 500 Georgians take Turkish classes at the Yunus
Emre Turkish Cultural Center every year.
He also said Turkey is playing a leading role "in supporting Georgia's
integration into the EU and NATO."
Gumrukcu said conflicts over Abkhazia, South Ossetia and
Nagorno-Karabakh have led to a lack of "cooperation in the region."
Abkhazia, which, considers itself an independent state, is a part of
Georgia's territory according to the Georgian government, UN and the
majority of world governments.
Similarly, Russia formally recognized South Ossetia as an independent
state, which declared independence from Georgia after being the focus
of a war between Russia and Georgia in 2008.
Meanwhile, Nagorno-Karabakh, has been a conflict zone between
Azerbaijan and Armenia with the Armenians demanding control of
Karabakh.
Turkey, a close partner of Azerbaijan, has demanded Armenia's withdraw
from Nagorno-Karabakh and negotiations have so far failed to produce a
permanent peace agreement.
- Ahiska Turks
The Turkish ambassador said repatriations for Ahiska Turks are still slow.
"Unfortunately, Georgia, the international community and Ahiska Turks
are all unsatisfied with the process," he said.
Ahiska Turks, originally from Southern Georgia close to Turkey's
border, are spread throughout the former Soviet Union, Turkey and the
United States. It has been 70 years since they were expelled by Joseph
Stalin from their homeland.
Having faced discrimination and human rights abuses since then, they
struggled to keep their culture alive and ensure their own safety. The
community acts as a cultural bridge between Georgia and Turkey.
www.aa.com .tr/en