Ankara proposes mediation for peace negotiations Mubarak, Sizer stress Iraq's unity
Egypt-Turkey, Politics, 2/12/2004

The Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak underlined yesterday in Ankara the importance of preserving unity of the Iraqi territories. They warned that any violations will expose the whole Middle East to danger and instability.

The two presidents showed their support for "just and permanent peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Sezer repeated his readiness to play the role of mediator between them, while Mubarak extended his call to resume the Syrian- Israeli negotiations.

During his visit to Ankara, which is the first since 1998, the Egyptian President said he supports Turkey's opposition to the emergence of any federal system based on ethnic foundation in Iraq. He told reporters in conclusion of his talks with the Turkish President "we agree on the need to preserve the unity of the Iraqi territories, and the danger of any attempt to partition Iraq." He noted that this will bring instability to the region. Mubarak who was talking via a translator in a joint press conference with Sezer said that continuous work in a new constitution for Iraq should aim at strengthening harmony in the Iraqi territories instead of establishing a framework based on ethnic or sectarian foundations.

Sezer commended Mubarak's words, noting that his country supports the Iraq's political and geographical unity. Mubarak also showed his support for greater role by the UN in Iraq, and called for increasing the participation of neighboring states in rebuilding projects.

On the other hand, the two presidents showed their support for "a just and durable peace between Israel and the Palestinians in the Middle East. Mubarak said that his country and Turkey might contribute "according to developments" to resuming peace negotiations on the ground of the roadmap. The Egyptian president also extended an invitation for resuming the Syrian- Israeli negotiations but gave no further details.

Sezer also repeated his country's proposal to play the role of the mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, while Mubarak welcomed Ankara's efforts in this regard. The Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced in January that his country is ready to play a mediating role between Syria and Israel.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak visits Turkey today   (2/11/2004)
  Al-Baz highlights Turkey's efforts to maintain ME peace   (1/27/2004)
  Turkish health minister visits Egypt tuesday   (11/18/2003)

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