"Turkey is always ready to help Iraq"

MADRID (AA) – Turkey’s Special Representative to Iraq Osman Koruturk said on Friday that Turkey was always ready to help Iraq.

Addressing the conference held in Madrid, Spain of donor countries for reconstruction of Iraq in which 73 countries participated, Koruturk said that Turkey would donate 50 million dollars for reconstruction of Iraq between the years 2004-2007. Koruturk added that Turkey contributed to the newly formed international fund with 2 million dollars.

Noting that Turkey spent 5 million dollars for Iraq to date by building two hospitals in Iraq and by taking part in the U.N. activities, Koruturk stated that Turkish Red Crescent which sent 900,000 U.S. dollars of humanitarian aid to Iraq after the war would continue its activities.

Koruturk stated that Turkey had historical, geographical and cultural ties with Iraq, adding that Turkey was ready to help Iraq in humanitarian, economic and infrastructure issues. "We must work for reconstruction and stability of Iraq. A democratic, stable Iraq which has territorial integrity and unity will certainly contribute to formation of a hopeful atmosphere in the Middle East."

Koruturk stated that Turkey’s direct bilateral relations with Iraq continued, adding that a multisectoral working group would be formed in Iraq and Turkey would present programmes to Iraq about infrastructure, technical personnel need, technology, education, health, banking and telecommunication services.

Pointing out that Iraqi oil was transported abroad via Turkish ports in the Mediterranean, Koruturk said that Turkey had central status in Iraq’s economic activities.

Speaking to A.A correspondent about the 50 million dollars of aid which Turkey promised to donate to Iraq, Koruturk said that "this shows how much importance Turkey attaches to Iraq."