Iraq backbone of regional stability, says FM Davutoglu

WASHINGTON (A.A) - February 14, 2012 - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday that Iraq was the backbone of regional stability. Speaking at a joint press conference with his U.S. counterpart Hillary Clinton in Washington on Monday, Davutoglu said that if there was no stability in Iraq, there would be no stability in the region. The only thing that Turkey desires is the welfare of all Iraqis, regardless of their ethnic or sectarian structure, Davutoglu said. Whenever we tell Iraq a certain thing, we do not intend to interfere but rather have a desire to help, Davutoglu said. Touching on Turkey's European Union (EU) aspirations, Davutoglu said that "yes, we do wish to become an EU member. Despite all discouraging acts by the EU, we are optimistic that one day we will be an EU member". Also speaking at the press conference, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the U.S. believed Turkey played a constructive role in Iraq. On Turkey-EU relations, Hillary Clinton said that she believed she was part of those who thought that Turkey would be an EU member sooner or later. I do not want any one to be discouraged and get far away from Turkey's EU process, Clinton noted. As in every tough negotiation, this issue may have to be temporarily put aside. There are enough issues in the region that keep us very occupied, Clinton also said.