OECD summit stresses need for peace, dialogue

Meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan yesterday, heads of state and government of Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OECD) member states called for peace and dialogue. President Gul, representing Turkey at the summit, told Turkish reporters that there is much support for Turkey's nomination of Ambassador Ersin Ercin to be the new OECD secretary general. Gul said he had introduced Ercin to world leaders at recent international summits and meetings, adding that the ambassador once worked as Turkey's envoy to the OECD. On his meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Gul stated that they mainly discussed the Caucasus and stability in the region, stressing that Russia is the main actor in solving problems in the Caucasus. "I believe that problems which are of particular concern to Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan should be solved by all means," he explained. "I'm sure solving these problems is in the best interest of Turkey, Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia." On the stalled peace process between Turkey and Armenia, Gul said, "Nothing has died. We're determined. Difficult issues can't be solved overnight. We're working hard on them."