It also wants to transport Turkmen oil to Europe. Both projects are contrary to Russia's interests in the former Soviet Republics. Demirel also urged the Turkic states to boost trade and economic ties both with Turkey and among themselves. The friendly Turkic countries will also benefit from Turkey's customs union deal. The Turkic countries should support Azerbaijan in efforts to end the Armenian occupation of Azeri lands.
Turkey supports peaceful solutions to the two problems.
In this respect, Russia need not worry. They supported the territorial integrity of the Turkic countries and rejected separatist moves. At a press conference Greek government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that the President's words had not been correctly assessed. There is no change in the Greek government's stance. During a tour of the Aegean islands Stefanopoulos told reporters that Greece is well-intentioned toward all its neighbors.