Erdogan pledges Turkey's continued support for FAO to eliminate famine

Speaking to reporters in Rome yesterday, on the sidelines of the World Summit on Food Security, held by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "More than 1 billion people worldwide are suffering from famine. Most of them live in underdeveloped or developing countries. High food and energy prices, climate change, rising unemployment due to the global financial crisis, and increasing biofuel production are the basic elements which triggered the global food crisis. Sharp declines in agricultural investments are making the situation even worse." Stating that Turkey has always supported FAO efforts to ensure food safety, as a key element of sustainable development, Erdogan said, "We continue sending humanitarian aid and giving technical assistance to underdeveloped and developing countries." Erdogan stressed the importance of supporting farmers and rural development as part of a long-term solution to famine. Asked about the Nabucco pipeline project, Erdogan said, "Nabucco is one of the European Union's most important projects. This project has three partners. You know we provide natural gas to Greece, and now we're trying to extend that natural gas pipeline to Italy and Albania." He added, "We don't consider Nabucco an alternative to the Southern Stream. The projects complement each other. When the southern Stream fails to meet Europe's energy needs, Nabucco will be an important option." Asked about defense industry cooperation between Turkey and Italy, Erdogan said that the first test flight of ATAK helicopters was held in Milan and that their mass production in Turkey would begin in 2013. Erdogan also cited the agreement on the ATAK project with Italy's Agusta Westland as a "significant deal" for Turkey and Italy. In September senior Turkish and Italian officials witnessed a test flight of the T129 ATAK, Turkey's first national attack helicopter, an enhanced version of Agusta Westland's A-129s, which will be jointly produced by Turkey and Italy. Turkey's Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI) – the prime contractor – and Italy's Agusta Westland – a subcontractor – will jointly produce the aircraft under an 2007 agreement for the purchase of 51 (plus 40 optional) helicopters for the Turkish Land Forces.