ANKARA
Iraq can only overcome its current difficulties by giving equality to all sections of society, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said.
"Political separation fuels radicalism and sectarianism," Davutoglu said on Tuesday during a joint news conference with his Zambian counterpart Harry Kalaba in Ankara.
There has been a marked increase in sectarian violence between Iraq’s Sunni and Shia Muslims since June. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s refusal to form a unity government representing both communities is seen as prolonging Sunni antagonism to his Shia-dominated government.
Turning to relations between Turkey and Zambia, Kalaba said his country would support Turkey as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2015.
Davutoglu said the meeting had enhanced their relationship and hinted at a future “joint economic commission" between the two.
Both offered their condolences over the death of Mesut Bektas, a Turkish diplomat who died in a traffic accident in southern Zambia on Sunday.
Turning his attention to Crimea, Davutoglu also spoke out against the five-year entry ban against Tatar leader Refat Chubarov imposed by the pro-Russian administration.
Russia annexed Crimea after a referendum in March following the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Moscow government. Crimea’s 300,000-strong Tatar population largely boycotted the vote.
Davutoglu will visit Uzbekistan between July 10 and 12, the first visit to the central Asian country by a foreign minister in 13 years.
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