ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Thursday that Turkey and Ukraine would start studies to turn Black Sea into a lake of peace. After the two-hour meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Anatoliy Zlenko, Gul said in the joint news conference with him that Turkey and Ukraine were two important countries in the region. ''We have common studies to turn Black Sea into a peace lake,'' Gul said. Noting that the bilateral relations were fine in all fields, Gul said that ''the will of our governments is to further improve the relations.'' Gul pointed out that President and Defense Minister would go to Ukraine in the near future, adding that Ukrainian Parliament Speaker would visit Turkey.
Reminding the historical relations between the two countries, Prime Minister Gul said that Turkey was pleased with the policy pursued by Ukraine regarding the return of Crimean Tatars to their former homeland. Gul also thanked Ukraine for its understanding regarding the monument to be opened in Sevastopol for the martyrs of Crimean War. Gul stressed that the trade volume which was 1.3 billion dollars between the two countries had to be developed, adding that the sides reached consensus of opinion to increase the trade volume and to protect peace and stability in the region. Upon a question, Gul pointed out to the importance of fishing between the two countries, adding that the necessary agreements would be signed as soon as possible. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Zlenko said that the relations between the two countries were constructive and friendly, adding that Gul accepted the invitation of him to Ukraine. ''The continuation of our dialogue constitutes a basis for continuation of the relations in all fields,'' said Zlenko, adding that Turkey was one of the most important countries of the region. Noting that the strategic aim of both countries was same, Zlenko said that ''the common aim of the two countries is membership to the EU.'' The guest minister said that the two countries reached agreement on protection of peace and stability in the Black Sea region and its neighbours, fight with terrorism, improvement of economic cooperation, usage of transit possibilities, close contact with Europe and tourism. Zlenko said that the experts would start consultations in Ankara on May 29, adding that ''it is a serious basis for our cooperation in the future.'' Zlenko said that they were in agreement with Gul for completion of the procedure regarding Ukraine's joining the World Trade Organization as soon as possible. When asked how he evaluated the draft resolution prepared to lift the embargo on Iraq, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Zlenko said that this was the sign of the fact that Iraq would start to normalize.
Zlenko said that if the U.N. Security Council lifted the embargo, this would show that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.