In Bulgaria, Babacan attends southeast European countries' foreign ministers meeting

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan yesterday went to Bulgaria to attend Southeast European Countries' Foreign Ministers meeting, held within the framework of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP). Speaking to reporters before departure, Babacan said the Southeast European Countries Cooperation process was an important Balkan cooperation platform that reflected the region's common will. Saying that the Southeast European Countries Cooperation process aims to find solutions in the region through political dialogue and the common will within the region itself, Babacan added, "The process that began with Turkey's initiatives is the only platform that brings Balkan countries together around the same table." "We expect a decision at the meeting that would make Turkey the term president of the Southeast European Countries Cooperation process between 2009 and 2010," Babacan said. Asked about a question on Turkey's mediation efforts between Syria and Israel, Babacan stated that initial talks between these two countries would take place through Turkey's assistance. "If we reach a point in these indirect talks, the two sides will then convene around the same discussion table," Babacan also said.