Turkish soldiers with white cloth as covering walk at night in the cross-border operation in Iraq on February 22, 2008. Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Tuesday that objective and scope of the Turkish military operation into northern Iraq is well-known and the operation will continue till it reaches its goal. (Xinhua/Anadoglu Agency Photo)
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Tuesday that objective and scope of the Turkish military operation into northern Iraq is well-known and the operation will continue till it reaches its goal.
Babacan made the remarks at a joint press conference with visiting Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha after their official talks in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
Babacan said that Turkey has been using all instruments at its disposal to fight against terrorism.
Babacan said "we will send a delegation to Baghdad nowadays within the scope of political dialogue process."
Babacan also said that Basha and he had discussed the ways to boost current cooperation between the two countries, adding Turkey always supported Albania, an important country as far as peace and prosperity in Balkans are concerned.
"Turkey will keep assisting Albania's goal to become a NATO member as it did in the past", added Babacan.
Turkish tanks move near the southeastern Turkish town of Silopi, near the Iraqi border, February 21, 2008. Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has launched a cross-border ground operation in fight against the banned Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) in the north of Iraq.(Xinhua Photo)
Basha, for his part, said "our bilateral talks and personal friendship are indications of perfect relations between the two parties".
Basha noted that his formal visit to Turkey is an evidence of good relations between Turkey and Albania, adding "Turkey and Albania signed more than 100 agreements in the past 12 years".
Basha said they were pleased to see Turkish entrepreneurs investing in Albania in areas extending from infrastructure to energy, and from agriculture to tourism and transportation.
Meanwhile, Basha also thanked for Turkey's support extended during Bucharest summit for Albania to be a member of Euro-Atlantic structures, saying "Turkey also extends support to Albania for modernization of military and army".
(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)
