ANKARA - U.S. Secretary of State Condolezza Rice said on Sunday that there might be some differences of opinion between friends from time to time, but what was important was to remember that they were still friends, when answering a question that differences of opinion had increased between Turkey and her countries in recent days.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Rice held a joint press conference after their meeting.
Turkey and the United States were planning to cooperate in matters concerning the two countries, Rice said when recalled about Turkey's expectations about Kirkuk and the terrorist organization PKK.
Rice stated that the United States included PKK in its list of terrorist networks, and stressed that Kirkuk was a city were all the Iraqis wanted to live together, respecting each other.
Turkey and the United States were giving common messages that all the Iraqis should be represented equally in Kirkuk, Rice said.
Rice underlined importance of holding talks on matters on which two countries had differences of opinion.
Recalling that Turkey and the United States had taken joint action during the cold war era and supported each other, Rice said, ''there may be some differences, but these don't affect our strong relations.''
Noting that a new period had started in Iraq after (last Sunday's) elections, Rice said that it would take some time to establish a free and democratic Iraq.
-MIDDLE EAST-
Touching on the developments regarding the Middle East, Rice said that the United States was working on possible contributions to this region, and stated that they wanted to speed up the peace process.
Rice stated that she learned Gul's views and proposals about the Middle East before she headed to this region, and said that leaders of the both parties should undertake great responsibilities.
The groundwork should be laid among two nations to find a solution, Rice added.