TURKISH SPOKESMAN DESCRIBES MINISTER’S VISIT TO NORTHERN IRAQ AS “BENEFICIAL”

Anadolu Agency
Aug 7 2012
Turkey

ANKARA (AA) -August 7, 2012 -Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk
Unal has said that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s visit
to northern Iraq previous week was beneficial in terms of delivering
messages to regional administration in north of Iraq on coping with
terrorism.

Spokesman Unal answered the questions on “disislerinesorun” [“ask
the Foreign Ministry”] twitter account on Tuesday.

Relating to questions over Turkish FM Davutoglu’s historic visit
to northern Iraq a week before, “Mister Davutoglu’s visit to Irbil
and Kirkuk on August 1-2 was considerably beneficial in terms of
delivering messages to the regional administration in north of Iraq
on dealing with terrorism,” said Unal.

Unal stated that Turkey has been working on breaking terrorist
organization PKK’s links with external connections.

Stating that Turkey wanted peace and stability in neighbouring Syria,
Unal said that Turkey did not send any troops to Syria.

“For its security, Turkey does not hesitate to take any precaution,
however no decision has been taken yet,” said Unal over a question
about the buffer zone that might be established in the region.

Spokesman Unal stated that visa exemption agreement with 50 countries
has been signed since 2003, adding that Turkish citizens’ travelling
without a visa in Europe has began following initialling of EU-Turkey
Readmission Agreement on June 21.

We are determined to develop relations with Armenia, said Unal
answering a question about Turkey-Armenia relations.

Unal also commented on Turkey-Israel relations.

Mentioning that bilateral relations were interrupted after Israeli
troops raided the Mavi Marmara aid ship in international waters in
2010, “Turkey will be following the issue at all international arenas.

It is Israel’s choice, not ours, why the relations between both
countries are in this stage,” said Unal.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress