Anadolu Agency, Turkey
July 18 2009

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER: TURKEY HAS RELATIONS WITH ALL ETHNICAL,
RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN IRAQ

ANKARA (A.A) – 18.07.2009 – Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
said that Turkey had relations with all ethnical, religious and
sectarian groups in Iraq.
"The only country which has close and friendly relations with all
groups (in Iraq) is Turkey," said Davutoglu in a TV program he
attended in state-run TRT channel on Friday.

Noting that there was an improvement in security in Iraq in recent
years but ethnical and sectarian-based conflicts increased in recent
period, Davutoglu said that Iraqis should unite on a joint value.

Regarding fight against PKK terrorist organization, Davutoglu said
that Turkey would exert serious efforts till the general elections
which would take place in Iraq in January, 2010.

Davutoglu said that PKK was isolated in Iraq, adding that PKK’s target
was to make contradiction between Turkey and the north of Iraq.

Noting that there could not be any problem with Kurdish people,
Davutoglu said that it was impossible for Turkey to consider the unity
of the north of Iraq as a threat; and added that Turkey considered the
terrorist organization in the north of Iraq as a threat.

Regarding Nabucco Project, Davutoglu said that Nabucco had a central
importance in Eurasia, adding that Nabucco was a connection line
between the regions.

Noting that Turkey had become the center of natural gas transfer in
east-west line, Davutoglu said that there could not be a competition
between Turkey and Russia in natural gas issue. He added that there
was a multi-dimensional cooperation between the two countries.

Davutoglu also said that Turkey had relations with all ethnical groups
in Caucasus, and added that Turkey did not support any ethnical or
sectarian conflict.

Noting that Armenian occupation in Upper Karabagh had been continuing
for 17 years, Davutoglu said that this status quo was not beneficial
for Turkey-Armenia and Azerbaijan-Armenia relations. (GC)