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FM: Turkey wants to see more UN in Kirkuk

Türkiye Materials 4 August 2008 17:48 (UTC +04:00)

Turkish Foreign Minister and chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan said Monday that Turkey would continue to make reforms regarding its EU bid, reported World Bulletin.

At a press conference with Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado in Ankara, Babacan said that there were over 20 bills regarding EU reforms pending at the parliament and all those reforms would be enacted once the parliament recess was over on October 1st.

Babacan also said that the government almost completed the national program for the year 2008.

"We will finalize it this month. So, we will announce to Turkish people and the EU what we would do in the short and mid-term," Babacan said. "We have political reforms and activities regarding negotiation chapters in it."

Babacan, who was asked about recent developments in Iraqi city of Kirkuk, said that Turkish government monitored all developments in Kirkuk.

"We attach great importance to the stability in Kirkuk as it is closely related to the stability in Iraq," Babacan said. "Stability of Iraq means the stability of the region."

He warned that unilateral decisions and steps could bring more difficulties and troubles in Kirkuk, adding that Turkey advised all groups in Kirkuk to come together to solve problems with dialogue and compromise.

Babacan said he held a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently on the issue, and the UN felt concerned over Kirkuk and several other Iraqi cities.

"We are trying to encourage them on that matter. We want to see more United Nations in Iraq," he said.

Last week, a suicide bomber killed at least 22 Iraqis at a protest rally in Kirkuk.

In the aftermath of the bombing, protestors attacked an Iraqi Turkmen Front office and clashes broke out between protesters and guards protecting the office.

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