ANKARA (A.A) - 14.11.2006 - "One of the most important problems and threats against Turkey is separatism. The fight against terrorism is our priority duty," said Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul on Tuesday.
Speaking at the Parliamentary Planning & Budget Commission over the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the year 2007, Gul said, "since we predicted current situation in Iraq, we held the meeting of neighboring countries with Iraq. The world should appreciate Turkey's initiatives to this end. We attach great importance to Iraq's territorial integrity and political unity. Protection of these are of vital importance for Iraqi people. If Iraq is separated, it will lead to a new unbelievable dark era."
Recalling that the Iraqi prime minister would pay a visit to Turkey in the coming days, Gul said that all those issues would be taken up in detail during the visit.
Referring to the issue of PKK terrorism, Gul said, "one of the most important problems and threats against Turkey is separatism. Our government has been doing everything in its power in the fight against terrorism. Unfortunately, the northern part of Iraq has become shelter for the terrorist organization. Our government has displayed a determined attitude against it. We attach great importance to the United States' appointing a special envoy. We consider the fight against terrorism our priority duty. Therefore, we do not need a coordinator. However, we have appointed Edip Baser to head the Turkish delegation and to attend the meetings among Turkey, the United States and Iraq."
Upon a question about presence of several maps separating Turkey, Gul said, "these are nothing but worthless rags."
Describing the Armenian issue as one of the most important problems of Turkey in the next decade, Gul said that they would launch all necessary initiatives.
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