ANKARA - Turkish Justice Minister and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday that several efforts were being exerted for reconstruction of Iraq and providing stability in this country, adding that Iraq still had some risks regarding to security.
After the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Cicek told reporters that the cabinet meeting mainly focused on foreign policy issues, especially developments occurring in Iraq.
Stressing that there were many security problems in Iraq because there was an authority vacuum in the country, Cicek said that while they were following developments in Iraq, they were also carrying out their relations with Iraq.
Stating that there were Turkish contractors working in Iraq and there were also Turkish drivers and transportation companies working with this country, Cicek said that they had some concerns over developments that have taken place in this country recently.
Cicek said that relevant departments of the state held some meetings with representatives of companies dealing with contracting services and transportation in the Foreign Ministry.
He stated that they discussed in the meeting what sort of measures should be taken for safety of Turkish citizens working in Iraq. Cicek stressed that they continued holding talks with authorities responsible for security in Iraq.
Iraqi President and four ministers would pay a visit to Turkey next week, he added.
(EÖ-AÖ) 09.08.2004