TURKEY AND EGYPT TO ESTABLISH HIGH-LEVEL STRATEGIC COOPERATION COUNCIL

ANKARA (A.A) - 22.11.2010 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey and Egypt agreed to establish High Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
Davutoglu and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit had a meeting and held a joint press conference in Ankara on Monday.
A more systematic and comprehensive era would begin between Turkey and Egypt with establishment of this strategic cooperation council, Davutoglu told reporters. An agreement on establishment of the council would be signed during Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Egypt, he said.
Davutoglu said that Egypt was one of the most important stability factors in the region, stating that Turkey and Egypt were two important actors in the region.
The two countries were resolute to boost trade volume which was nearly 3.5 billion U.S. dollars currently, he said. Davutoglu said they discussed several issues including Turkey's Africa initiative and the two countries were eager to continue their joint efforts under the UN.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Gheit said that he would also meet with President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the two countries had sound ties and cooperation.
Relations would be improved more thanks to High Level Strategic Cooperation Council that would be established between the two countries, Gheit said.
Replying to a question on negotiations with Iran, Davutoglu said that a new and positive momentum began regarding negotiations and Iran's nuclear program in the recent period.
"Iran earlier told us that it would prefer Istanbul for talks. But the place where talks will be held is not important. It can be Geneva or Istanbul. If parties want to hold negotiations in Istanbul, we will get prepared for it. We hope that talks will be successful," he said. Gheit said that Turkey and Egypt were in favor of a peaceful solution and the two countries had consensus on the matter.
Answering a question on Israel's building new settlements in Palestine, Gheit said that it was unacceptable and these constructions must be stopped till a political solution was reached.
Replying to a question on exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece, Davutoglu said that those talks were secret. "Progress was achieved in these talks in the recent months. I cannot give detail," he added.