ISTANBUL - Turkish President Abdullah Gul told the head of Iraq's Islamic Supreme Council Ammar Abdulaziz Al-Hakim on Wednesday that he was confident that Iraq will emerge from its upcoming elections stronger than before.
In a meeting he held with Al-Hakim today, President Gul said that Turkey stood at an equal distance to all segments of the Iraqi society.
President Gul told Al-Hakim that Turkey attached great importance to dialogue with all groups of Iraq.
Gul expressed happiness over seeing the representatives of the Iraqi society in Turkey.
"Iraq has entered a critical period of elections. I believe that Iraq will complete the elections being stronger than before," Gul stressed.
Al-Hakim, in his part, said that they paid high attention to consultations with Turkey.
We are happy to see Turkey on the side of Iraq. The presence of the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad and Turkish consulate generals in other Iraqi cities are an indication of the importance Turkey attaches to Iraq and we appreciate this, Al-Hakim noted.
Turkey has played a constructive role in Iraq to date and we hope this role continues, Al-Hakim also said.