Turkish ambassador to U.S. says diplomacy only way for a lasting solution to Iranian issue

WASHINGTON (A.A) - December 9, 2011 - Turkish ambassador to the United States has said that the issue regarding Iran's nuclear activities must be solved through diplomatic means. Ambassador Namik Tan attended a breakfast meeting organized by The Christian Science Monitor newspaper and addressed undergraduates at the Elliot School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. Replying to a question on Syria, Tan said that Turkey exerted efforts together with the Arab League for a solution in Syria, stating that there was need for an international consensus for a solution to this matter. "Turkey will stand by Syrian people during this difficult period. We believe that we share a common future with Syrian people," he said. Answering a question, Tan said Turkey wanted a weapons of mass destruction free zone, stating the country wanted no regional countries including Iran to have weapons of mass destruction. Diplomacy was the only way for a lasting solution to Iranian nuclear issue, he said. Replying to a question on Iraq, Tan said Turkey was ready to extend every kind of support to Iraq. Turkey was concerned about presence of terrorist organization PKK in the north of Iraq and the country expected more from the United States in eradicating terrorist organization PKK, he said.