Turkish FM Davutoğlu calls on Iraqi Turkmens to unite and refrain from sectarian confrontation

ANKARA

An Iraqi Turkoman fighter stands guard outside the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC) headquarters in the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, June 16. AP Photo

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has called on Iraqi Turkmens to be united and urged Sunni and Shia Turkmens to refrain from sectarian confrontation.

“Turkmens are primary components of Iraq. Therefore, their unity is crucial. Any confrontation among them on ethnical and sectarian bases would upset us,” Davutoğlu said at a press conference with President Arshad al-Salihi of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC).

At the meeting a delegation of Turkmen representatives from Iraq, he said the stance of Turkmens “without diversification between Sunni and Shia” was discussed.

“There is no place for sectarianism our understanding,” Davutoğlu added, underlining that the cooperation of Turkmens was required for peace and stability in Iraq.

Turkmens in Iraq, who live in a critical zone of the country, should develop relations with Arabs and Kurds on the basis of friendship and brotherhood, he also stated. “Turkey’s expectation is that Turkmens develop good relations with them,” he added.

For his part, al-Salihi said Turkmens were determined to live together with other groups in Iraq.

The meeting also discussed the stance of Turkmens in Iraq’s post-election period, and Davutoğlu stressed that Turkmens should be adequately represented in the Iraqi government.

He also said they touched on Turkey’s humanitarian aid for those who had to flee from Mosul and Tal Afar.