Hurriyet DN Online with wires
OluÅŸturulma Tarihi: Åžubat 18, 2009 09:23
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Strategic relations must be established between Turkey and Iraq to the secure joint interests of the two countries, the neighboring country's President Jalal Talabani said Tuesday. (UPDATED)
Talabani met Turkey's Special Envoy to Iraq, Murat Ozcelik, in Baghdad at a meeting which focused on Turkish-Iraqi relations and the status quo in Iraq.
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Talabani said a strategic relationship must be established between Turkey and Iraq for development and peace in the region, the Anatolian Agency quoted a statement issued by the Iraqi Presidential Press Center as saying after the meeting. Â
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Both Talabani and Ozcelik expressed pleasure over the developing ties in all fields, the statement added.
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According to the statement, Ozcelik reiterated Turkey's support to the political process in Iraq and said his country appreciated the efforts made by Talabani to facilitate the unity of all ethnic groups in Iraq.
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The diplomatic contacts between Turkey, who has long blamed the Kurdish administration in northern Iraq for supporting the terror organization PKK, and the neighboring country have intensified recently.
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Turkey and Iraq have agreed to establish a Strategic Cooperation High Council to promote relations and to deal with the PKK. The council foresees at least one meeting a year with prime ministers, and three representatives at the ministerial level.
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Turkey, Iraq and the U.S. have also decided to form a joint committee to combat the PKK, which launches cross-border attacks on Turkey from bases in the neighboring country, as part of efforts to boost cooperation against the terrorists.Â
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