National security council convenes

Chaired by President Abdullah Gul, the National Security Council (NSC) convened yesterday with top government and military officials, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Ilker Basbug in attendance. During the meeting, issues such as the government's democratic initiative, the fight against terrorism, Iraq and Afghanistan, and recent developments in reconciliation talks between Turkey and Armenia were discussed. A statement released after the meeting said, "Besides the recently signed protocols between our country and Armenia, future projections, and efforts and processes regarding the solution of conflicts, especially the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, in the Southern Caucasus were evaluated." It was again stressed that this process will help solve problems between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In related news, today Foreign Minister Davutoglu will brief Parliament on the protocols between Turkey and Armenia.