MGK meets

The National Security Council (MGK), chaired by President Abdullah Gul, yesterday convened at the Cankaya Presidential Palace. According to a statement released after the five-hour meeting, the MGK discussed such issues as the fight against the terrorist PKK and measures to be taken ahead of annual Nevruz celebrations, energy routes, the Israeli-Palestinian situation in the wake of Israel's offensive in Gaza, and recent development in the Middle East. In the statement, the MGK reaffirmed that the international community, and in particular regional countries, should take responsibility for bringing peace and stability to the Middle East and to solve issues such as the Palestinian issue. It stressed that Turkey will continue to work to promote peace and stability in the region. The MGK also discussed Russian-proposed energy routes intended to bypass Turkey to transport Caspian natural gas to Europe.