ANKARA - Turkey`s FM Ali Babacan left for Kuwait Monday to attend an expanded meeting of countries neighbouring Iraq.
Babacan held a press conference at the Esenboga International Airport prior to his departure.
He referred to the previous meeting held in Istanbul and said Turkey pioneered the conception of this platform in 2003 with a core group. He said the initiative turned into an international platform when the G8 countries joined the platform.
Babacan said they value this process because Iraq`s territorial and national integrity was important for Turkey.
Babacan said these meetings provided a good platform for Iraqi government to brief participants on the latest developments in its country.
Babacan said it was important for Iraq`s neighbours to open missions in Iraq and seek ways to further contribute to Iraq`s development.
Babacan said Turkey opened a consulate in Mousul aside from its Embassy in Baghdad which it had been struggling to keep open under harsh circumstances. He said Turkey was getting ready to open another consulate in Basra.
Turkish FM said he would also hold bilateral meetings with foreign officials and said all their efforts were aiming to support efforts to stabilise Iraq.
Babacan said 2008 was a critical year for Iraq as certain basic legislations would be adopted and bilateral agreements with the U.S. be shaped in this year.
(OZG-ULG)