Turkey reconfirms commitment to Iraq's territorial integrity

As Turkey works to deepen its relationship with northern Iraq, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday that its approach towards Iraq's territorial integrity remains unchanged despite a top Iraqi Kurdish leader's reported desire to found a Kurdish state. "I am against the use of violence, but the Kurdish nation, as its legitimate right, should have its own state like the Turkish, Persian and Arab nations," Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani told an Egyptian television broadcaster, daily Milliyet reported yesterday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Burak Ozugergin said that Turkey's approach towards Iraq remains unchanged. "I haven't heard the statements made by Mr. Barzani, but there has been no change in Ankara's views or attitude towards Iraq's territorial integrity," he said.