ANKARA (AA) - Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari of Iraq said, ''we will not allow any terrorist group to harm countries which are our neighbors .''
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Jaafari, who is paying his first foreign trip to Turkey since he took office last month, held a joint news conference following their meeting in Ankara on Friday.
Jaafari said, ''positive steps are taken in Turkey as far as democracy is concerned. We also recorded a great progress in Iraq. Experiencing democracy is something new for Iraq. For the first time all groups living in Iraq are represented within the government.''
''Turkey has always supported us. We will never forget the countries which supported us,'' added Jaafari.
''Ministers who accompany me will hold meetings with their Turkish counterparts to create new cooperation opportunities between Turkey and Iraq. Iraq aims to develop its cooperation with all countries and establish relations on the highest level. We want Iraq to become a source of stability in the region,'' noted Jaafari.
Upon a question on fight against PKK terrorist organization which is active in the north of Iraq, Jaafari said, ''within the scope of the principle of good relations with neighboring countries, we will not allow any group to harm our neighbors.''
Jaafari said, ''we will be in cooperation with related countries within that scope. Those countries should also fight against groups which can harm Iraq. We will not allow any group to harm security, economy and politics of neighboring countries.''
Upon another question, Jaafari said, ''related ministers will discuss problems about water sources. We respect international laws regarding this issue.''
When asked about security condition in Iraq, Jaafari said, ''we will take measures to prevent filtering of armed groups from foreign countries to Iraq. We will also ask related countries to take strict measures. We will be in dialogue and cooperation with related countries. Turkey has never supported terrorism and never become a side in this issue.''
When asked whether Ovakoy border gate (in Turkish southeastern town of Silopi's Ovakoy district) will be opened, Jaafari said, ''today we discussed this issue as well. There is an intense traffic in Habur border crossing, thus opening of another border gate will put an end to this situation.''
Upon a question about the status of Kirkuk, Jaafari said, ''Kirkuk is a sensitive and important city. It reflects demographic structure of Iraq which includes diversity. Unity and integrity of Iraq as well as identity of Kirkuk will be protected.''
2005-05-20