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Turkish PM says Pak peacekeepers welcome in Iraq
Islamabad, June 15: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today his country would welcome Pakistani peacekeepers in Iraq, especially at its border regions under Kurdish control.
Islamabad, June 15: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today his country would welcome Pakistani peacekeepers in Iraq, especially at its border regions under Kurdish control.
Erdogan, on a three-day visit to Turkey's Islamic ally Pakistan, said: "We would especially like to see Pakistani forces in Iraq. No matter where in Iraq, including northern Iraq, we would be pleased and happy with their deployment.''
Iraqi Kurds control Iraq's northern regions bordering Turkey, and run a largely autonomous region that Turkey fears could push for independence. Turkey is also concerned about possible clashes with Turkish Kurdish guerrillas believed to be active in the border areas.
Erdogan said that Iraq should stay a single country. "It is my wish that none of the ethnic communities (in Iraq) try to exercise sovereignty over others," he said.
Pakistan and Turkey have had traditionally good relations and are among the few predominantly Islamic countries to openly endorse the US-led offensive against al-Qaida militants and the remnants of Taliban in Afghanistan.
Erdogan said that economy and trade were big on his agenda during talks with his Pakistani counterpart Zafarullah Khan Jamali.
The two leaders agreed to boost bilateral trade, currently worth about US $ 166 million a year, Erdogan said.
Erdogan, who arrived from Malaysia, was accompanied by five ministers, nine other legislators and more than 100 business officials.
Erdogan's trip follows a visit by Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul in May.
Bureau Report
Iraqi Kurds control Iraq's northern regions bordering Turkey, and run a largely autonomous region that Turkey fears could push for independence. Turkey is also concerned about possible clashes with Turkish Kurdish guerrillas believed to be active in the border areas.
Erdogan said that Iraq should stay a single country. "It is my wish that none of the ethnic communities (in Iraq) try to exercise sovereignty over others," he said.
Pakistan and Turkey have had traditionally good relations and are among the few predominantly Islamic countries to openly endorse the US-led offensive against al-Qaida militants and the remnants of Taliban in Afghanistan.
Erdogan said that economy and trade were big on his agenda during talks with his Pakistani counterpart Zafarullah Khan Jamali.
The two leaders agreed to boost bilateral trade, currently worth about US $ 166 million a year, Erdogan said.
Erdogan, who arrived from Malaysia, was accompanied by five ministers, nine other legislators and more than 100 business officials.
Erdogan's trip follows a visit by Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul in May.
Bureau Report