ANKARA - Twenty Iraqi diplomats started vocational course given by the Turkish Foreign Ministry Training Center in capital Ankara as a part of Iraq's reconstruction works, Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Monday.
Speaking in the opening ceremony of the vocational course, Gul said that Iraqi diplomats would have further information about Turkey's foreign policy during the course.
Gul noted that thus, Iraqi diplomats could know more about Turkey.
Stressing that Iraq had great importance for Turkey, Gul touched on historical, cultural and humanitarian ties between two countries.
Gul stated that Iraq was experiencing difficult days and said that Turkish people would be beside Iraqi people in their difficult days.
Turkey, which considered Iraq a whole, had big contributions to Iraq's reconstruction, Gul recalled.
Gul said that Turkey would continue to help Iraq and to this end, it was cooperating with the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Countries aimed to help Iraq stand on its own feet by supporting its economic, social and political reconstruction, Gul stated.
Gul expressed belief that transition period in Iraq would help foundation of a pacifist, free and democratic Iraq.
Turkish Foreign Minister Gul pointed to importance of preservation of Iraq's territorial and political integrity, equal share of Iraq's sources among Iraqi people, equal representation right of all groups in Iraq and determination of Iraqi constitution by Iraqi people.
Noting that the chaos in the region would affect not only Iraq but also other countries in the region, Gul said that a democratic and stable Iraq was for the benefit and interests of not only Iraqi people but also the region.
Addressing Iraqi diplomats, Gul said that Iraq would reach peace and welfare thanks to their efforts.
Dr. Mahdi Musa Albayati, the head of the Iraqi delegation, expressed belief that the course would be beneficial to them and they would at the same time learn more about Turkey.
Iraqi diplomats are foreseen to be given not only six-month vocational training but also training courses related with management.
Iraqi diplomats will visit Istanbul, Aegean Izmir, southern Antalya provinces and central Cappadocia region and get their diplomas in Ankara on June 8.
(BRC-AY) 03.05.2004