Turkish Foreign Minister & chief negotiator for the EU talks Ali Babacan said on Monday that discussions regarding visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad to Turkey were "groundless initiatives" aiming at casting shadow over the visit, and Turkey had to focus on the core of the visit.
Babacan and Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado held a joint news conference in Ankara.

Asked to comment on news reports that Iranian President would not visit Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the great Founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, Babacan said, "discussions are underway all around the world about Iran's nuclear program. Discussions about the place, time and format of the visit are inappropriate and aim at impeding success of the visit."


MINSK PROCESS
When asked to comment on Turkey's stance on referendum proposal of a State Department executive for the solution of the problem about Upper Karabakh, Babacan said, "Minsk process, a separate negotiation process, carried out under co-chairmanship of USA, Russia and France is in question. Turkey supports Minsk process. We hope that the parties would succeed in a compromise and common basis."


RELATIONS WITH PORTUGAL
Turkish Foreign Minister described relations between Turkey and Portugal as perfect. "Bilateral relations are fostered within the scope of NATO, Mediterranean, and EU process," he said.

"Turkey and Portugal share common values like democracy, fundamental rights and freedoms, free market economy and supremacy of law. Bilateral relations are based on friendship and cooperation," Babacan said and expressed pleasure over Portugal's support for Turkey's EU bid.

Babacan said programs would be prepared for the next period to boost cooperation between Turkey and Portugal in education and culture.

Amado, Portuguese Foreign Minister, said his visit aimed at emphasizing the will of Portugal to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Amado pointed to Turkey's role in the region, and Turkey had a responsibility to restore peace and stability in the region.

Amado said Portugal would continue to support Turkey's EU bid, and favored continuation of Turkish-EU relations and did its best to prevent deterioration of relations.

AA