LOC15:20
12:20 GMT
EU High Representative Javier Solana and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iraq Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari meet in Brussels at the Council of the European Union.
BRUSSELS, Nov 20, (KUNA) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari met the European Union's (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana here Tuesday, discussing Iraqs relations with the EU and neighbouring Countries.
"We had good talks with Javier Solana . We discussed the situation in Iraq and the big security improvement and the need for a joint common vision to aid Iraq during this period," Zebari told reporters after the meeting.
"We also discussed the regional situation, Iraqs ties with the neighbouring countries in the aftermath of the Istanbul conference. We discussed Iraqs ties with Iran and Turkey and the upcoming talks between the US, Iran and Iraq very soon in Baghdad," said Zebari.
The Iraqi official went on saying EU was supportive of the Iraqi government's policies of strengthening security and supporting means for reconciliation in the country.
He said an Iraqi delegation would visit Brussels on November 27th for discussions on a cooperation and trade Agreement with EU.
On Turkey and the cross-border terrorism, he indicated the Iraqi government would cooperate with Turkish the government and with the Kurdish regional authority to continue to implement measures to disrupt and isolate any PKK terrorist activities in the region and also to have a direct dialogue between Baghdad and Turkey and the US to resolve this issues.
"Turkey is a very important neighbouring country. Our relations are deep-rooted," he noted.
"We welcome the self-restraint Turkey has wisely taken since the crisis has started and we need to capitalize on that to help each other to overcome the PKK menace." Zebari added he believed that "the idea of a large-scale invasion of the North is less but the possibility of a limited military strike or attack against the PKK basis maybe stronger." "The danger has not gone away. But we are doing our best to help each other not to aggravate the situation, not to destabilize the situation but we are willing and interested to work very closely with Turkey." On Monday, Zebari attended a meeting of EU foreign ministers and discussed the situation in Iraq. (end) nk.gta KUNA 201520 Nov 07NNNN