ANKARA - Peter Westmacott, the British Ambassador to Turkey said on Wednesday that Turkey and Britain are in close contact regarding the Iraqi issue.
Westmacott visited True Path Party (DYP) leader Mehmet Agar the same day.
Speaking to the press after meeting which lasted for 1.5 hours, Agar said that the British Ambassador paid a courtesy visit.
Noting that Britain is an ally of Turkey and it extends great support to the membership efforts of Turkey, Agar said that they exchanged views about Cyprus and Iraqi issues in the meeting.
Westmacott said that it was natural for them to be in close contact with political party leaders, adding that Britain and Turkey have common interests in finding a peaceful and constructive solution to Cyprus and Iraqi issues.
Upon a question, Westmacott said that it was natural for British Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Michael Boyce to visit Turkey.
Noting that Admiral Boyce will also visit Incirlik base and he will have contacts about the Iraqi issue, Westmacott said that he believed Turkey and Britain have to be in close contact about issues of possible use of force and diplomatic efforts. Westmacott didn't give further details about the visit.
Upon a question about the meeting that will be held in Istanbul about the Iraqi issue on Thursday, Westmacott said that he appreciated this initiative, because Britain, like Turkey wants peaceful solution of the problem. Westmacott said that ''we support elimination of the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq by peaceful means. If Turkey's efforts will contribute to the implementaion of U.N. Security Council Resolutions by Iraq, we fully support that.''