ANKARA
Iraq’s central government in Baghdad and Erbil-based Kurdistan Regional Government needs a strong coalition to fight militants in Daesh-occupied Mosul, Turkish foreign minister said Wednesday.
Addressing a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Grzegorz Schetyna on Wednesday, Cavusoglu said all parties "should avoid a conflict" between Shia and Sunni communities in Iraq.
About Iraqi regional government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani's comment that Turkey’s involvement in liberating Mosul was essential, Cavusoglu said Turkey gave its support to Peshmerga forces “all along.”
"I haven't spoken with Mr. Barzani after his remarks, but we will have a face-to-face meeting in the near future and deal with all the details," he said.
However, he urged Iraqi officials to take support from all parties in Iraq, including its Sunni population. "Because with the current structure, there are signs of another Shia-Sunni conflict," he warned.
Iraq witnessed one of its worst periods of sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shias in 2006 and 2007. Iraq has plunged into a security vacuum since June 2014, when Daesh stormed the northern province of Mosul and declared what it called a caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
Turkey has been giving logistical and intelligence support to the Iraqi government in Baghdad in its operations against Daesh.
About Turks in France air crash
About the possibility of finding another Turkish origin passenger among the victims of the recent Germanwings crash in France, Cavusoglu said Turkey was closely following the case.
"We haven't encountered any other information apart from the case of the 50-year-old Turkish origin woman, Muradiye Lochmann, who had left her Turkish citizenship of her own will," he said. The minister added that Lochmann chose to be a German citizen in 2001.
Ease of visa for Turks travelling to Poland
Turkish foreign minister recalled Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s announcement about easing visas requirements for Polish people in December.
"Polish people can get their electronic-visas via Internet within three-four minutes. But, we will lift the requirements soon. We also expect some conveniences from Polish side as well for Turkish citizens. We can't request a total lift (for Turkish citizens) because of the Schengen visa, but we expect making the process easier. Therefore, it will be a win-win situation," Cavusoglu said.
Polish foreign minister Grzegorz Schetyna said Poland was sincere in its bilateral ties and always supported Turkey in its EU accession process.
After signing a partnership agreement with the European Economic Community in 1963, Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005. To gain membership, Turkey must successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters, which include reforms and the adoption of European standards. So far, 14 chapters have been opened, while 17 remain blocked and another four have yet to be discussed.
Cavusoglu said Chapter 17, regarding economic and monetary policies, should be opened and appreciated Poland’s support for Turkey's EU accession process.
"We want to improve our good relations further," Schetyna said. Describing his visit as "highly important," he said that his 160-strong delegation would accompany him at the business forum in Istanbul Thursday.
Also, he said that Turkish students generally preferred to study in Poland. "We want to increase the number of students," he added.
Schetyna is expected to also separately meet Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Cavusoglu reiterated that the current trade volume between the countries, about $5.5 billion, would be doubled in the future.
