DAMASCUS - Meeting of foreign ministers of neighboring countries with Iraq ended in Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday.
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul represented Turkey at the meeting in which foreign ministers of Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Jordan attended.
Although he was officially invited, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari did not attend the meeting.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara of Syria said that they had held positive and important talks during the last two days.
The final statement, which was released at the end of the meeting of foreign ministers of neighboring countries with Iraq in Syrian capital Damascus, called on Iraqi administration to cooperate with its neighbors in fight against terrorist groups.
In the seventh article, which was added to the statement as a result of initiatives of Turkey and approval of the other participating countries, the neighboring countries with Iraq expressed their concerns about presence of terrorist and other armed groups in Iraq.
The article underlined that the terrorist groups constituted a serious threat for neighboring countries, and called on Iraqi officials to cooperate with its neighbors in fight against such groups. The article stressed that cooperation in fight against terrorist groups would prevent border violations.
Highlighting importance of territorial integrity and political unity of Iraq, the final statement stressed that the neighboring countries would assist Iraqi people, who have been living through a difficult period both in their security and economy.
Foreign ministers emphasized that measures that could lead division of Iraq, were unacceptable.
The final statement highlighted importance of preparation of a new constitution, efforts to hold elections and the United Nations' role in Iraqi people's taking over authority.
The statement also underlined the right of Iraqi people to determine their own political future freely.
Recalling that guest foreign ministers sent an official invitation to Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, the statement said that foreign ministers of neighboring countries with Iraq could not receive a positive response.
Participating countries expressed their hope for Iraqi representative's attending following meetings in the statement.
Stating that Iraqi Interim Governing Council was supported due to its interim responsibilities and efforts which the Council undertook till an elected government which had the ability to fully represent the people came to the power, the statement also included some expressions about the United States which was defined as ''occupier force''.
The statement also underlined the occupier force's responsibility for settlement of security and stability in Iraq within the scope of concerned resolutions of the U.N. Security Council, international law and 1949 Genova Agreement.
Participating countries also rejected accusations on ''intervening in interior affairs of Iraq'' in the statement.
The final statement condemned terrorist attacks and said that parties gave their permanent representatives in the U.N. order to monitor the issue.
It said that Israel misused regional developments and assumed an assailant attitude against Syrian territories and stated that there was a full solidarity with Syria.
Stressing the importance of continuation of meeting of countries neighboring Iraq, the statement said that it was decided that the following meeting would be held in Kuwait.
Following the meeting, President Bashar al-Asad of Syria received foreign ministers.
No statement was released about the meeting.
Foreign Minister Gul was also received by Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Utri.
(EÖ-UK) 02.11.2003