CAIRO - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that Kirkuk issue should be solved before it became more complicated.
Speaking in the Regional Initiative on Iraq held in Egyptian capital Cairo, Gul said that Turkey thought that some disputable issues should be taken up in this meeting, and placed Kirkuk problem among most important topics.
Gul said that Kirkuk issue must be handled and solved within the framework of new constitutional process in Iraq. He added that terrorism had serious effects on Iraq's stability, and therefore, should be dealt carefully.
Gul stressed that Iraq's neighbors, including Turkey, were uneasy about activities of the terrorist groups in that country.
Underlining importance of Iraq's unity and territorial integrity, Gul said that the Regional Initiative on Iraq launched by Turkey, will contribute to the peace and stability in this country, in a short period.
Gul stated that Turkey would continue to help Iraq regain stability as soon as possible, and as a matter of fact, supported the roadmap in Iraq.
Recalling that sovereignty was recently handed over to the Iraqi people, Gul said that peace and stability would completely be restored after elections were held.
On the other hand, Gul had a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Farouk al-Shara. Sources said that two foreign ministers discussed bilateral issues.
Al-Shara invited Gul to visit Syria, while two ministers stressed their expectation to sign a free trade agreement between Turkey and Syria.
(BRC-ULG) 21.07.2004