Turkey follows Iraq's constitutional drafting process

Turkey, a neighboring country and with a keen interest in Iraq, has been closely following the new constitutional drafting process that is presently being under taken in Baghdad. Turkey's hope for the new Iraqi constitution is that it will represent all ethnic groups living in the country "a key element to political stability in Iraq" said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan. "We have been observing that all groups have been actively contributing to the constitution-drafting process. All groups have been involved in an effort of reconciling their interests with Iraq's general interests," Tan said responding to a question at a weekly press briefing. Weeks of deadlock finally came to an end of Monday with the parliament setting a one week extension for rival factions and minority groups to finalize their requests and settle their differences. In a written statement, Tan said, "If there is anyone hoping to cause Iraq's disintegration via this [constitution-drafting process], then the issue becomes an international concern, not just a problem for Iraq to deal with." "Our hope is for an Iraq that has political unity and territorial integrity," Tan said, showing Turkey's intention to continue following the constitution-drafting process.Â