Turkey does not pursue distinct policies in relation to Chisinau and to Comrat. What is said in Chisinau is repeated in Comrat and vice versa and all the assistance directed to the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia is initially discussed with the central authorities, Turkey’s Ambassador to Moldova Mehmet Selim Kartal said in the press club meeting “Social resonance”, IPN reports.
The diplomat noted that the President of Turkey came to Moldova on a visit immediately after the referendum held in Gagauzia several years ago and said directly that Turkey supports Moldova’s integrity and its European aspirations. Even if the Turkish official was then harshly criticized by the mass media of Gagauzia, his statement showed that Turkey regards Moldova as an integral state.
The diplomat spoke also about the tenser relations between Turkey and Russia, saying the Turks’ position towards Gagauzia hasn’t changed and the Gagauz people continue to receive assistance. The tenser relationship between Russia and Turkey could be inconvenient to the Bashkan of Gagauzia, not yet to the Embassy of Turkey.
“Turkey is the country that provided the biggest assistance to Gagauzia and no one else can offer such assistance because the Gagauz people are Turks too. If the people of Gagauzia want to keep their cultural identity, they can do it only by having good relations with Turkey,” stated Mehmet Selim Kartal.
He also said that the tenser relations with Russia are regrettable, especially because the two countries are neighbors, but such problems appear between neighbors and can be solved. The Turkish Government pursues a policy of good relations with the neighboring states.
