Japan, Turkey Agree to Accelerate Nuclear Plant Construction

Tokyo, June 22 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu agreed Thursday that their countries should accelerate the planned construction of a nuclear power plant in northern Turkey by a Japanese-French consortium. The team, including Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. <7011>, is set to build the plant on the Black Sea coast, under a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement that enables Japan to export nuclear reactors to Turkey. In their talks at Abe's office, Cavusoglu requested the Japanese leader's early visit to Turkey. In a speech the same day, Cavusoglu expressed concerns that tensions in the Persian Gulf could become prolonged, after Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed economic sanctions on it earlier this month due to the country's alleged support for terrorism. The peace and stability of the Persian Gulf nations, which possess key energy resources, is important for the entire world, he said. Turkey does not support either side, Cavusoglu said. Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, are all close allies, he said, signaling Turkey's intent to make all-out efforts to mediate between the Saudi-led camp and Qatar. END