IPSALA - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Monday that Turkey's trade with Iraq should continue.
Responding to questions of reporters about his official visit to Iraq due on January 10, Tuzmen said that Turkey had gained a good momentum after all troublesome days and the export figure of 36 billion U.S. dollars was the indicator of that development.
Tuzmen noted, ''Iraq is our neighbour. It is a neighbour by which we can take joint action for hundreds and thousands of years. We do not want any problem to occur in that country. Trade between the two countries have reached important figures in recent years. To this end, this trade should continue. Our aim is to have good relations with all our neighbours. We also want permanent trade to bring permanent politics, commercial relations to ease political relations and have a tranquil region. Turkey is trying to do its best in this issue.''
Asked which sectors would be affected in case of a possible military operation on Iraq, Tuzmen said that such statements were very wrong and that they were taking into consideration the realities, not speculations.
Tuzmen added, ''even if peace is on the last car of the train, we have to take our place in that car. We have to do this for the sake of not only our country, but also for Iraq and all the world.''