ANKARA - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen and accompanying delegation of businessmen left for Iraq on Friday.
Holding a press conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport prior to his departure, Tuzmen said, ''nearly a thousand Turkish firms have commercial ties in Iraq. Our contacts with Iraqi officials will focus on problems of the businessmen acting in Iraq, and future auctions.''
''It is a routine activity. It is one of the initiatives that Turkey has been launching in order to increase its share in auctions under oil for food program between the United Nations and Iraq,'' he said.
Tuzmen noted that recent developments in the region had entailed them to take a political message to Iraq.
Recalling that they had paid visits to Greece, the United Arab Emirates and the Russian Federation, Tuzmen told reporters that they would go to Syria, Egypt, Sudan and Iran in coming weeks.
Tuzmen said that their aim was to increase trade volume with neighboring countries.
Noting that the number of companies making trade with Iraq was 1,000, Tuzmen said that this was the indicator of important relations between the two countries.
Tuzmen stressed that relations could continue and become permanent only that way.
''Permanent commercial relations pave the way for permanent political relations. Our aim is to have strong commercial ties with all regional countries and develop altogether. The problems of the region are poverty and the low income per capita. Turkey is trying to do its best to increase the income per capita,'' Tuzmen said.
Tuzmen added, ''this is the real aim of my visit. A political message has to be conveyed in regard to timing. I am taking the message of Mr. Prime Minister to Iraqi government.''
Asked about the content of the message, Tuzmen said, ''this is a message written by the Prime Minister. It is totally a letter about the current situation of Turkey, situation of Iraq, and how international community considers the issue. It is also a letter that stresses importance of U.N. resolutions and settlement of permanent peace in the region for Turkey and regional countries. It is also a letter stressing good will, wishes and hopes that everybody should fulfil his obligations to ensure permanent peace and a letter reflecting Turkey's point of view to Iraq.''
Replying a question which said, ''it was mentioned that regime would be changed in Iraq. So do you think it is the right time to pay such a visit?'' Tuzmen said, ''as Turkey, we are aware how difficult current conditions are. We know that there are currently serious economic problems. At the moment, the 58th government has achieved a good atmosphere, that is, we believe that we should do everything for continuation of this.''
''We also believe that we should take place in the peace train even in its last car. Our target is the dominance of peace over the whole region. The problems that Turkey suffered in last twelve years after the Gulf crisis are obvious,'' Tuzmen said.
Stressing that as Turkey, they had tried several times to express their wish that they did not want to suffer same problems, Tuzmen said, ''our aim is to make Turkey a country that finds solution not only to Iraq issue but also to Israel-Palestine dispute and problems in Caucasus and Balkans.''