Turkey-Iraq-USA Tripartite Mechanism Meeting Held In Ankara
ANKARA - The third ministerial meeting of the tripartite mechanism formed by Turkey, Iraq and the United States to develop their cooperation in the fight against the PKK terrorist organization was held in Ankara.
Turkish Interior Minister Besir Atalay, Iraqi Minister of State for National Security Shirwan al-Waili and Multinational Force in Iraq Deputy Commander Gen. Steven Hummer were in attendance at the meeting.
Atalay told reporters following the meeting, "our talks focused on ways to further develop our cooperation in the fight against terrorism and in efforts to eradicate the presence of the PKK terrorist organization in Iraqi territories. All three parties reiterated their determination to make our cooperation more influential. Cooperation in training of Iraqi security forces was also high on agenda of our meeting."
He said that the next meeting would take part in Baghdad in October.
Asked about the Makhmour camp in the north of Iraq and future of Kurdish migrants in the camp, Atalay said, "the Makhmour camp and the other issues are parts of a whole. We assess all those issues as a whole. We need more analysis and information about the camp."
Asked about Turkey's list of 150 members of the PKK given to the Iraqi party for extradition, Atalay said, "we have some tangible requests. We have already made them during the first meeting. Now, we assess those requests. The tripartite mechanism meetings form a process."
Atalay added that he would make a statement soon about Turkey's recent democratic move.
An Iraqi minister said on Tuesday that Iraq felt uneasy over any element that would pose a threat against Turkey's security, noting the cooperation would continue till presence of terrorist PKK organization is totally rooted out.
Speaking at a news conference after the third meeting of the main committee of a tripartite mechanism, which was established against PKK terrorist organization by Turkey, Iraq and the United States, Iraqi State Minister for National Security Shirwan al-Waili said the essential target of the meetings and the tripartite mechanism was to eradicate the terrorist PKK organization and its members from the Iraqi territories and from the border.
Al-Waili described today's meeting as "successful and positive", noting that the parties exchanged views on all matters.
Al-Waili said they assessed what have been done so far and the future efforts by the parties.
"A spirit of cooperation prevails. I would like to underline that the Iraqi party seriously expends efforts. This is our duty," Al-Waili said, noting that the Iraqi Constitution said Iraqi territories could not be used against any country in a way that would endanger security of a neighboring country.
"All Iraqi authorities carefully follow implementation of this article," he said.
Iraqi minister said next tripartite meeting would take place in Baghdad.
He said they have initiated a mechanism on the matters related to Kurdish people living in Iraq and Iraqi borders. "Works to establish a roof that will enable us to live together in compliance with the constitution and based on dialogue have started a long time ago."
