Gul calls on Iraq to jointly combat PKKMarch 24, 2009 - 11:17 AMT 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. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |