Gul calls on Iraq to jointly combat PKK

PanARMENIAN.Net - In early remarks before his historic visit to Iraq for official talks in Baghdad, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he hopes to boost ties through a transfer of energy resources and through cooperation in the fight against the PKK. He said Iraqi Kurds have clearly seen what winning or losing Turkey's support would mean and that it is the PKK terror that upsets ties with Ankara, Hurriyet Daily News reported.



A symbolic trip, pragmatic agenda President Abdullah Gul began a landmark visit to neighboring Iraq yesterday, at a time of changing relations between Turkey and northern Iraq amid calls for increased efforts to eradicate the presence of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).



"Just as we attach importance to and back Iraq's territorial integrity, northern Iraqi officials should support us against the PKK terror in the Turkish territory," Gul was quoted as saying by Turkish TV channels. His remarks came in response to questions posed by journalists accompanying him on the flight to Baghdad.



"We are ready for a strategic cooperation with Turkey," his counterpart, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said.



Gul, who was greeted at Baghdad International Airport by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and other officials, became the first Turkish head of state to visit Iraq in 33 years.



The last Turkish president to do so was Fahri Korutürk in April 1976.