ANKARA (CIHAN) - Iraqi Kurdistan Patriotic Union (PUK) leader Celal Talabani told reporters on Wednesday that the PUK respects the sensitivities of Turkey on certain issues including terrorism.
The PUK leader, speaking to reporters after meeting with Turkish Prime Minister in Ankara, underlined that there is no disagreement with Turkey. Talabani said that the PUK wants strong and continuous relations with Turkey. "We are ready to engage in economic and political cooperation."
Regarding Turkey's concerns about the status of the oil-rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk, Talabani said that there should be no clash between Turkmens and Kurds.
Talabani said that the PUK wants joint-governorship for Kirkuk. "The provisional Iraqi constitution recognizes 3 Kurdish states in Iraq. The Kurdistan regional administration is recognized as an official administration in Northern Iraq. Shiite and Arab governors will also serve in Kirkuk the governor's office."
Turkey strongly opposes Iraqi Kurdish control of the oil-rich Northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk through planned ethnic migrations that are changing the demographics of the city. Turkey fears that any moves to bolster Iraq's Kurds could pave the way to the formation of a Kurdish state in Iraq and eventually could fuel separatism among Turkish Kurds in southeast Turkey.