BRUSSELS - Turkish Foreign Minister & Chief Negotiator for the EU talks Ali Babacan said on Tuesday that physical capacity and political will should unite in fight against terrorism, "unfortunately, this is not seen in central government or the local administration of Iraq."
Babacan met European Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn and Luis Amada, the FM of EU Rotating President Portugal, following Turkey-EU Troika ministerial meeting.
"We had fruitful talks," told Babacan at a joint news conference with Rehn and Amada.
Babacan said, "we have expressed Turkey's firm stance in the EU reform process. We are pleased to see that our friends in the EU accepted decisiveness of the Turkish government."
"What we expect from the EU is that negotiation process should not be a tool for political goals. We also want chapter headings, that are ready for technical means, to be opened to negotiations without any delay," he indicated.
Babacan underscored that global conditions necessitates positive relations between Turkey and the EU.
Turkish FM said, "we have relayed Turkey's expectations in dealing with terrorist PKK organization that nested in Iraq and we are pleased to hear the statements of the EU party expending support in this respect."
Babacan said Cyprus matter was handled at the meeting under the topic of strengthened political dialogue, and noted that, "I have expressed our expectation for support to UN process. I have explained to them that concession could not be taken from Turkey by using the UN process."
-FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM-
On the other hand, while replying to questions about terrorist organization and Iraq, Babacan said Turkey gave high importance to unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.
"Turkey is decisive to deal with terrorism and uses many instruments altogether at the same time. Those are diplomatic, socio-cultural, economic and military instruments. We expect support from the international community on the matter," Babacan remarked.
Babacan said Turkey's fight against terrorism should never be considered a problem between Turkey and Iraq or a problem among different ethical origins. "The target is the PKK which is declared as terrorist organization by many countries in the world and the EU," he added.
FM Babacan said, "indeed, it is unacceptable for Turkey that some EU member states set free members of the terrorist organization (who were sought with a red bulletin) after detaining them."
Replying to a question about the closure case opened against Democratic Society Party (DTP), Babacan said all political parties in Turkey should have a firm stance against terrorist PKK organization.
Babacan later met EU joint policy chief Javier Solana.