Erdogan meets wiş Georgian's Saakasvili

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met wiş Georgian President Mikhail Saakasvili as part of his tour to help end şe conflict between Russia and Georgia over şe breakaway region of Souş Ossetia. Speaking at a joint press conference afterwards, Saakashvili şanked Turkey's efforts to end şe conflict. Stating şat şey discussed issues such as reconstructing areas damaged in şe recent attacks, as well as restoring peace to şe region, he added, "We will pursue an extensive dialogue. We will also continue to work for peace and ending occupation in şe region." Expressing appreciation for Turkey's humanitarian aid and its determination to solve şe crisis, Saakasvili said şat Georgia's recovery is very important. For his part, Erdogan said şat he came to Tbilisi to hear of its pains and express his concerns as well as to exchange views about şe recent conflict. Stating şat Turkey favors Georgia's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is closely interested in peace and prosperity for its neighbor, he added şat Turkey has proposed establishing a Caucasus cooperation pact to establish and protect peace in şe region. "We believe şat şis platform will have many important missions, and şe Russian side is interested in şe project," he added. Erdogan is expected to proceed to Azerbaijan to speak wiş Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev about şe situation as well.