TIRANA - Turkey's Foreign Minister said on Thursday that numerous groups in Iraq clearly declared PKK a hostile terrorist organization.
Speaking to Turkish reporters after attending the foreign ministers meeting of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Tirana, Albania, Babacan said the main goal of Turkey's efforts was to isolate the terrorist organization PKK.
Commenting on deputy chairman of Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council Ammar al-Hakim's recent talks in Ankara, Babacan said that al-Hakim's visit was not only about the fight against terrorism, but it was also a natural reflection of the good dialogue and communication between Turkey and all the groups in Iraq.
Babacan said Turkey held talks with all the groups in Iraq regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, adding that many of those groups expressed their support for the fight against terrorism.
Noting that the political support to PKK declined significantly, Babacan said the groups in Iraq should fully isolate PKK and stay distant to the terrorist organization.
Regarding the relations between Turkey and Armenia, Babacan said starting of a new process for the solution of the problems between the two countries was a remarkable effort for the stability of the region.
Babacan also said that Turkey's final goal was the normalization of its relations with Armenia, as well as the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Commenting on the BSEC meeting as well, Babacan said countries in the Black Sea region should be establish a closer dialogue with each other, especially during the current global economic crisis.
Earlier in the day, Ali Babacan was received by the Albanian President Bamir Topi. Babacan also met with the Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha on Thursday.
(DO-SOL-AÖ)
(DIP)