Saturday, 31 October 2009
ERBIL - - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday he felt at home in Irbil although this was his first visit to the Iraqi city.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the head of the regional administration in north of Iraq, Masoud Barzani, in city of Irbil, Davutoglu said that he thanked Barzani for the hospitality displayed.
Barzani's friendship with Turkey is very old, Davutoglu said.
We have discussed many issues with Barzani in details. We noticed that we shared a common vision. This common vision is one on the Middle East, Davutoglu said.
Arabs, Turks, Kurds, Shiites and Sunnis, we will all together re-build the Middle East. It is high time for everyone to take bold steps, Davutoglu stressed.
Iraq's security and welfare is crucial for Turkey as Iraq is a small model of the Middle East. We (Turks) look at the Iraqis as close relatives. The happiness of the Iraqi people is the happiness of Turkey and the sadness of the Iraqis is the sadness of Turkey. Any threat to Iraq's security is a threat to Turkey, Davugoglu noted.
Reminding that he was in Iraqi city of Basra in the morning, Davutoglu said that both Basra and Irbil were the cities of Turks. Ankara and Istanbul happen to be the cities of the Iraqis, Davutoglu said.
My visit to north of Iraq is an historical one. The only obstacle to the common welfare and tranquility of our countries is terror. Terror may hit Baghdad or Turkey from time to time, Davutoglu said.
I am pleased to share the common vision with Mr. Barzani, Davutoglu said.
This is the time to take the necessary steps. I call on all Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen brothers and sisters. Let us re-build this region. An individual should be able to travel from Basra to Edirne with no concern for security, Davutoglu said.
We have noticed that Irbil is a well developed city. We want to contribute to the further growth of this city with Turkish businessmen, Davutoglu said.
Let us not permit any one to destroy the brotherhood that exists between Turkey and Iraq. We have taken a decision to open a Turkish consulate general in Irbil. Turkey will be Iraq's door to Europe and likewise Iraq will be Turkey's door to the Gulf region and the south, Davutoglu said.
By God's help, our children will live better days than us. I believe that leaders as Mr. Barzani will help establish those nice days in the future, Davutoglu stressed.
In response to a question on terror, Davutoglu said that terror will cease to exist when the peoples of Turkey and Iraq hold each other hand in hand.
Mountains will not separate us but rather will unite us. The Middle East will be one of the world's most important centers of attraction when we work hand in hand, Davutoglu also said.
