Sezer: We Hope That A Democratic Administration Will Be Formed In Iraq As Soon As Possible

ISTANBUL - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Monday, ''we hope that a democratic administration having full authority on its own natural resources will be formed in Iraq in political integrity as soon as possible.''
President Sezer sent a message to the 19th meeting of Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).
In his message, President Sezer said, ''the COMCEC is an important forum in which member countries assess economic and commercial developments in the world and seek for cooperation opportunities.''
''We appreciate increasing efforts to accelerate implementation of the Economic and Commercial Cooperation Action Plan. Changing conditions in the international platform and new formations entail us to put into practice new cooperation plans. I expect all members of the OIC to make contributions to efforts to put into practice these arrangements in order to accelerate implementation of the Economic and Commercial Cooperation Action Plan,'' he said.
Noting that liberalization efforts in the world trade had been continuing with the support of the World Bank, President Sezer stressed that member countries to the OIC should participate in activities of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Referring to the Iraq issue, President Sezer said, ''Turkey has always attributed great importance to protection of territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of Iraq, a member of the OIC and a neighbor of Turkey.''
''We hope that a democratic administration having full authority on its own natural resources will be formed in Iraq in political integrity as soon as possible. Developments in Iraq will have a direct impact in stability and balances in the region. Therefore, settlement of security and stability in Iraq on the basis of a national compromise is of great importance,'' he emphasized.
President Sezer added, ''after security and stability are settled in Iraq, and main humanitarian requirements are met, administration should be handed over to Iraqi people. According to our point of view, this process should be carried out together with rebuilding activities, and that the United Nations should undertake an influential role in transition period of Iraq.''
(UK-AÖ) 12.05.2003