Turkey to intensify relations with Iraqi Kurds in fight against PKK
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Turkey expects an increase in the contacts with the Kurdish administration of northern Iraq in the coming days, Turkey's foreign minister said on Monday. Foreign Minister Ali Babacan added such contacts could occur at various diplomatic levels and are important for fighting terrorists and for Iraq as a whole. Babacan's remarks signalled a softening of the Turkish stance towards Iraqi Kurds. Turkish air strikes on the PKK in northern Iraq are "unfortunate" and will do little to address Ankara's concerns about security, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said on Monday.
Babacan said
"The policy we have been pursing about Iraq targets at further improving our dialogue and relations with all groups in the country. However, there were different points of view about the the local administration in north of Iraq and the PKK terrorist organization. Now, you can expect an increase in contacts with the local administration in north of Iraq on different levels," Babacan said.
Closer dialogue with the Iraqi Kurds "is important with respect to fighting the terrorist organization (PKK) and also for our economic relations and energy cooperation with
Turkey has intensified its crackdown on PKK terrorists, with air oeprations in northern Iraq. The Turkish General Staff said 10 soldiers have died in clashes with the outlawed PKK separatists since April 20 in clashes inside Turkey. The Turkish army has carried an eight-day long ground operation against PKK positions in northern Iraq.
Turkey will continue to take measures against terrorists that pose a threat to its peace and security, the Turkish National Security Council (MGK) said last week. The MGKÂ also emphasized the importance of Turkey holding talks with all Iraqi groups and entities.
"It's unfortunate. Undoubtedly these military attacks are not helpful, will not do (their) job and ensure Turkish security concerns -- nor Iraqi security concerns," Salih was quoted as saying by Reuters.  Salih noted that they recognized the legitimate security concerns of Turkey and that the finding a solution to the situation can only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation between the two governments, not by unilateral military action by Turkey. In early March, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani visited Turkey, partly to smooth relations strained by the PKK issue. "We have had some serious discussions and we are hopeful these discussions will lead to meaningful processes by which these problems could be resolved," Salih said.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist group by Ankara and much of the international community, including the EU and the U.S., has long used camps in the mountains of northern Iraq as a springboard for attacks on Turkish targets across the border.