Arab-Turkish Forum approved future work plan in all fields

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Dec 16 2009

Arab-Turkish Forum approved future work plan in all fields

DAMASCUS - Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu and the Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa underlined during a joint press conference Tuesday that the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Arab-Turkish Forum came out with a future work plan to boost bilateral cooperation among the Arab countries and Turkey.

They added that this forum clearly expresses the two sides desire to enhance relations and push them forwards to a strategic level.

"The meeting has approved two important documents; the joint statement and the work plan in all fields… we also discussed the Arab league Secretary General's initiative to boost the Arab-Turkish relations that will be discussed and submitted to the Arab ministerial Council next March on turkey's hosting of the 3rd Forum in Istanbul next June with expanded activities to cover the political, economic and cultural domains," Minister al-Moallem said.

He added that the meeting was successful and there was an agreement by the two sides on the topics discussed, saying "no one in the Arab world has any notice or objection to the Arab-Turkish relations in light of the Turkish stances towards our just causes, embodied during the latest Israeli aggression on Gaza."

For his part, Davutoglu underlined that Turkey gives great importance to develop its relation and cooperation with the Arab and neighboring countries, because this cooperation is necessary, particularly with the existence of available energies and capabilities in the political, economic and cultural relations.

"Turkey has started to establish for this strategic high-level economic cooperation with forming strategic cooperation councils with Syria and Iraq, starting to establish for the same mechanism with Turkey and Libya as we look forward to an economic integration between turkey and the Arab states, Davutoglu said.

He added "our history is one… our goals are one, today we reached important decisions to boost cultural cooperation to be implemented as of next January in Cairo."

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said this Forum reflects an Arab-Turkish desire to boost relations and push them forwards to a strategic level that will have an impact in the regional work.

"Agreement has been made on a number of practical steps represented by holding several workshops during the coming months including Syria's hosting of a workshop on the regional security in the first quarter of 2010 and Turkey's hosting of another workshop on culture and scientific research in the second quarter of 2010," Moussa added.

On expanding the concept of the Forum and establishing a forum for the Arab-Iranian relations, Minister al-Moallem said "this topic is being suggested in the framework of the Arab League and there are similar forums and councils in china, Japan and India and there is cooperation with continental states including the European Union, South American countries and Africa as continents, so this issue needs the approval of the Arab Foreign Ministers Council.

In turn, the Turkish Foreign Minister affirmed that Turkey doesn't seek to develop relations with neighboring countries only, but rather is working to establish unique cooperation relations with all Arab countries whether in the Middle East or in Africa, pointing out to his country's relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council and Arab countries in North Africa.

Davutoglu said Ankara wishes for this cooperation to be carried out within the framework of the Arab-Turkish Cooperation Forum due to the immense benefits that these relations can have for both sides.

Regarding whether or not Turkey is assuming extra burdens due to developing its relations with Arab countries, Davutoglu said "Our relations with all Arab countries are historic and important… we are not seeking to upset any side through them, and they are not alternatives to relations with any other side because they are integrative relations, not competitive relations."

Minister al-Moallem commented on this by saying that those who want good wishes for the Arab world should encourage Turkey to have such relations with Arab countries due to the mutual trust between Turkey and the Arab nation, saying that these relations must be used to achieve security and stability in the region.

Regarding the strategic dimension that Turkey seeks through its relations with Arab countries and Asia, Davutoglu said that Turkey's foreign policy is based on a goal, beginning with neighboring countries which may be in the Caucasus region or Asia, but Arab countries have special standings with Turkey and share many things and goals and strategic interests, as well as strong economic relations, adding "We wish to leave a useful legacy to coming generations that achieves mutual benefits and cooperation in the economic and commercial sides."

On whether or not the Forum discussed the peace process in light of the peace efforts in the Middle East, particularly the Turkish mediation in the indirect Syrian-Israeli negotiations and the recent decision of the Israeli Knesset regarding the occupied Syrian Golan, al-Moallem said the Forum didn't discuss Israel's actions that indicate its unwillingness for peace, and that the Forum discussed the Arab determination to hold Arab-Turkish relations, which is why such issues were not discussed.

"As for the Turkish role in the peace process regarding Syria, President Bashar al-Assad repeatedly clarified Syria's stance in Paris… we trust Turkey's role as an honest mediator in the indirect peace talks, but currently we don't find an Israeli partner for making peace, but rather we find Israeli practices that affirm this conviction."

Regarding the suggestions for activating security cooperation between Turkey and Arab countries, Moussa said that Syria made an invitation to host a workshop on regional security, which is an integral and main issue in light of the regional situation, adding that the main factor in achieving peace in the Middle East must be based on making the region free of nuclear weapons.

H. Sabbagh / Mazen
turkish press