ANKARA (MNTV) -- It was essential to bring a lasting and comprehensive peace settlement to the Middle East and to reduce regional tensions, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said Monday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Israeli President Shimon Peres in Ankara, Gul said Turkey would do what it could to assist in the peace process and would contribute to regional stability and relations between Israel and Palestine.
“We have agreed to implement concrete projects to enhance our cooperation,” said Gul.
The Turkish president also said the forthcoming meeting between regional leaders in Annapolis in the U.S. should aim to pave the way for comprehensive talks. However, in order to do this, all of the region’s countries should be represented, he said.
“Because the Palestinian-Israeli dispute is not an issue only concerning the two countries,” Gul said. “Everybody should do his/her best for settlement of the problem.
Therefore we believe participation of Syria - which says it is a party to this matter - is important. I hope Syrian President Bashar al-Asad will join the Annapolis meeting and have the opportunity to discuss issues that are important for them.”
All those involved in the peace process should refrain from unilateral actions that could cause a crisis of confidence and new problems on the path towards peace and two-state solution, Gul said.
President Peres said Israel appreciated Turkey’s efforts to bring peace in the Middle East and expressed the hope that it would be possible to purify the region from terrorism and live in democracy and peace at the end of such a solution process.
However, he also sounded a note of caution for those looking for a quick resolution.
“It takes time to make peace,” the veteran politician said.