PM'S STATEMENT ON HIS DEPARTURE FOR TURKEY & NEW YORK
The following is
the text of the statement of the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari
Vajpayee prior to his departure for Turkey & New York today:
"I leave today for
an official bilateral visit to the Republic of Turkey and New
York.
Our relations with
Turkey are as old as its great civilization. We are now witnessing
a new commitment and surge to our cooperation. In the recent past,
bilateral exchanges have intensified and our trade has increased
significantly.
We share common values
of secularism and democracy with this important country which
straddles the continents of Europe and Asia. Both political and
economic factors encourage an expansion of our cooperation. My
visit will give me an opportunity to establish contact with the
leadership of the new Government in Turkey. I look forward to
exchanging views on international and regional issues with Prime
Minister Erdogan and other representatives of the Turkish leadership.
Besides Ankara, I
will also be visiting the historic and commercial city of Istanbul.
A large Indian business
delegation is accompanying me in Turkey, an Indian industry exhibition
is being held in Istanbul. The business interactions should provide
a sound basis for significantly expanded Indo-Turkish economic
cooperation.
From Turkey I will
proceed to New York for the 58th Session of the UN
General Assembly. There are a number of issues of international
concern facing the world and particularly our region. The role
and structure of the UN has itself been called into question by
some recent developments. Presence at the UNGA provides the opportunity
for exchange of views on these matters with a number of world
leaders from different regions.
As on all my visits
abroad, I will interact with the community of Indian origin in
both Turkey and USA to acquaint myself with the community’s perspectives
on developments in India and its progress and successes in its
country of domicile."
