Turkey, Lebanon sign host of agreements for stronger bilateral cooperation

In Ankara for official talks, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri was officially welcomed yesterday by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan with full military honors in front of the Prime Ministry. Also in attendance at the ceremony Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Interior Minister Besir Atalay, Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim and Agriculture and Rural Affairs Minister Mehdi Eker. The two premiers later had a face-to-face meeting and chaired a meeting of Turkish-Lebanese delegations, both focusing on ways to improve bilateral ties in a number of areas, including the economy, and other issues of common concern. Speaking at a joint press conference afterwards, Erdogan said the two countries had signed six agreements, including a deal to mutually scrap visa requirements, and pacts to boost cooperation in such areas as health, agriculture, the military, transportation and education. As part of its policy of zero problems with neighboring countries, in recent years Turkey has signed agreements with more than 50 surrounding and regional countries, including Syria, Libya and Jordan, to mutually relax visa requirements. Stating that Lebanon left behind a troubled period with the establishment of a new government under al-Hariri, Erdogan said that Lebanon has started to take steps towards a peaceful future. Telling how Turkey supports Lebanon on all international platforms, Erdogan pledged that this would continue. For his part, al-Hariri called Turkey a great partner for regional cooperation. Stating that Turkey and Lebanon share common political and moral values and a common vision, al-Hariri said that his country sees Turkey as a giant partner for building and improving regional stability, peace and cooperation. The common vision between the two countries should promote regional security, prosperity and development, he said. Lebanon wants a just and lasting peace in the region, and a settlement of the Palestinian issue on the basis of a two-state solution, al-Hariri said, underlining the importance of Turkey's support for the Palestinian people and their cause. He also praised Turkey's support for Lebanon's security and stability and asked Erdogan to maintain Turkey's positive role for a just peace and lasting stability in the region. Complaining of continued Israeli violations of Lebanese territory, al-Hariri said attacks on Lebanon constitute terrorism. Lebanon will never be divided, but will preserve its national unity, al-Hariri said. He added that Lebanon wants Turkey to assume a great role for the future of the region. Asked about Israeli violations of Lebanon's borders, Erdogan called on Israel to act in line with international law and UN resolutions, adding that Turkey's concerns would be expressed during an upcoming visit to Ankara by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Al-Hariri was also received by President Abdullah Gul at the Cankaya Presidential Palace.