, Turkey
Dec 28 2008

Armenian claims "risky area" with Obama admin: Turkish FM

Appearing in a program on a private television channel, Babacan
replied to questions on several matters.

Sunday, 28 December 2008 16:16

Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Sunday that Turkish
authorities regarded the issue of 1915 incidents as "risky area" in
the relations between Turkey and the United States during the period
of the new U.S. administration.

Appearing in a program on a private television channel, Babacan
replied to questions on several matters.

Answering a question on the fight against PKK in the north of Iraq,
Babacan said "terrorist organization in the north of Iraq was an issue
poisoning the relations between Turkey and Iraq. "

"Turkey has entered a different process in regard to combating
terrorist organization last year", he said.

"We have not taken any step which might make negative impact on daily
life of the people living in the north of Iraq. We have some problems
with mentality and policies of the local administration in the north
of Iraq," Babacan said.

Replying a question on Turkey’s EU negotiation process, Babacan said
EU had some internal problems in the recent period.

Turkey’s decisions on Cyprus and statements in France and Germany
against Turkey made a negative impact on the relations, he said.

"Despite all these difficulties, Turkey’s negotiation process is
advancing on its track," he added.

AA