Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was impressed by the development witnessed in the Kingdom during the King's reign and spoke of his gratitude for the King Faisal Award for Services to Islam. He expressed these views after talks with King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, focusing on cooperation in political, economic and trade areas. “Turkish support for Arab rights in Mideast region will not change even if Turkey becomes a member of the EU,” said Erdogan. Erdogan's reiteration of Turkish stance came at a press conference here Wednesday at the residence of Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference. Erdogan's visit to Jeddah came after he held talks with the King in Riyadh on Tuesday. “This policy of support is the same unchangeable principle that we took without any bias toward Georgia and it is our principle to support human rights in all of the world,” said Erdogan. He said that the European Union was not fair in its treatment of Turkey and that the union should be a political union not a Christian union. When asked about the Turkish role in Syrian-Israeli indirect talks, he said that the decision makers are the Syrians and Israelis themselves. “We led five mediation sessions with Syria and Israel until, as everybody knows, the Israeli attack on Gaza killed all mediation efforts,” said Erdogan. Regarding his visit to the Kingdom, he explained that he visited the UAE before coming to Saudi Arabia and, with Sheikh Maktoum, he inaugurated the Abu Dhabi Third Energy Summit 2010 which discussed the decisions taken at the Copenhagen climate change summit. “We had a chance to discuss the uses of clean and sustainable energy,” said Erdogan. “In Riyadh, we met with Saudi businessmen in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and discussed the possibilities of investment exchange between the two countries,” he added. He said that “winning the King Faisal International Prize was a great honor and it will encourage me to do more regarding my responsibilities.” Erdogan said his talks with Ihsanoglu covered Islamic affairs and the Palestinian issue. Erdogan was also briefed on OIC activities and achievements.
