Just the start of a long process

US Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman said today that the negotiation process between Turkey and US concerning the sending of Turkish troops to Iraq to serve as peacekeepers was a long process and the sides were just at the beginning.

Edelman, speaking after his one-hour meeting with Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan, said that his visit had been a courtesy visit, adding that many issues, including Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK/KADEK), were discussed.

He said both countries had to be careful during this long negotiation process, adding that close relations between Turkey and US was beneficial to both sides, noting that this became clear after the suicide bombing near the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad. He said any casualties due to the bombing had been prevented with cooperation.

Negotiation process was continuing according to schedule and discussion in Washington, Ankara and Baghdad would go on, Edelman said.

He also said that Provisional Governing Council in Iraq had some reservations about the presence of Turkish troops in Iraq, but noted that Council Chairman Alawi’s remarks that they had not taken any decision concerning banning foreign troops in Iraq.