Anadolu News Agency, Turkey
Dec 28 2008

Turkish minister sees Armenian "incidents" as "risky area" in
relations with USA

Ankara, 28 December: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on
Sunday [28 December] 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 US administration.

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

Answering a question on the fight against terrorist organization 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.