ISTANBUL - Ercument Aksoy, the Chairman of the Turkish-Iraqi Business Council said on Thursday that Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq would have positive effects.
''The existence of Turkish soldiers there will be a guarantee for Iraq until the latter establishes its own army and security forces,'' he added.
Iraqi and Turkish businessmen came together in the meeting organized by Turkish-Iraqi Business Council and discussed cooperation opportunities between the two countries the same day.
Responding to questions of A.A correspondent before the meeting, Aksoy said that ''an Iraq where problems are solved, unemployment decreases, and prosperity level of people increases, is to the advantage of Turkey.''
Noting that Iraqi society was sympathetic to Turkish people, Aksoy said that Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq would have positive effects.
''Iraqi people can't go outside after 19.00 due to security concerns. There are problems in municipality services like providing electricity, sewer system, and collection of garbage. Iraqi people can't watch tv, and can't make phone calls. The existence of Turkish soldiers there will be a guarantee for Iraq until the latter establishes its own army and security forces,'' he said.
Aksoy said that Turkish soldiers would not stay permanently in Iraq, adding Turkey was an important power in the region. ''We must cooperate with Iraqi people,'' he said.
Rona Yircali, the Executive Board President of Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) said that Turkey's sending soldiers to Iraq would be positive.
Addressing the meeting, Yircalý said that a new period started in Iraq, adding that Turkey wished to improve the economic and commercial relations with Iraq.
Yircalý said that efforts were underway to start Turkish Airlines flights to Baghdad as soon as possible, to improve the highway and railway connections between the two countries, to open a Turkish bank in Baghdad, to set up border commercial centres in Habur, and to prepare a credit package for Iraq by Turkish Eximbank.
''Turkish companies are ready to share its experience and technology with Iraqi businessmen,'' Yircali said, adding Turkish companies could invest in sectors of education, agriculture, food, water and water administration, energy and transportation in Iraq.
Thamir Al Shikhly, the Chairman of Iraqi Businessmen Association said that private sector had a very important role in reconstruction of Iraq.
Calling Turkish businessmen, Shikhly said that they wanted to work together with Turkish businessmen for reconstruction of Iraq.
Shikhly said that they were also ready to make cooperation with foreign companies, noting that ''Turkish companies should invest directly in Iraq without mediators.'' Thamir Al Shikhly also invited Turkish banking sector to open branches in Iraq.
(ÖÞ) 21.08.2003