ANKARA
The recent security crisis in Iraq will not disrupt Turkey's investments in Iraq, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday, reaffirming that Turkey would continue to maintain close cooperation with its neighbor.
"We are not considering a mass evacuation [of Turkish nationals and companies] from Iraq," Davutoglu told a press conference in Ankara following a cooperation meeting with other cabinet ministers.
"I would like to underscore this particularly: Our cooperation projects will continue," he said.
Militant group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant raided Turkey's Mosul consulate on Wednesday and abducted 49 Turkish nationals, including consulate staff and their families, after they assumed control of the city -- Iraq's second biggest -- in a swift operation in the northern province of Nineveh on Tuesday.
Davutoglu called on media oulets not to approach sceptically to any information not confirmed by the crisis desk established by the foreign ministry.
"Our citizens' security is in question. I would like to say to the media, companies and all associations that all news stories and speculations could create a false expectation on the people who are waiting to hear from their children, brothers, sisters and spouses," Davutoglu said.
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