Iraqi PM sends envoy to repair ties with Ankara

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has sent Ankara an envoy, namely, Iraqi National Security Minister Falih al-Fayyad, in order to convey his willingness to repair political ties with Turkey. Fayyad met twice with Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday. The two ministers continued talks at a second meeting late afternoon in order to achieve progress in the longstanding political strain between Maliki's government and Turkey. Stating that officials from both Ankara and Baghdad had delivered harsh criticism in their public remarks, Fayyad said Maliki wanted to end the political standoff and underlined that Turkey was a significant country for Iraq. For his part, Davutoglu gave a positive reply, saying that Turkey does not intend to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs, but wants to see welfare and stability in Iraq. Davutoglu also said that Turkey was determined to fight the terrorist PKK and reiterated Turkey's willingness to efficiently cooperate with its central government. Fayyad also held talks with Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin and Foreign Minister Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu yesterday.