Iraq slams Turkish FM Kirkuk visit

BAGHDAD - Agence France-Presse

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (R) and the governor of Kirkuk Najm al-Din Omar Karim (L), give a joint press conference following their meeting. AFP Photo

The Iraqi foreign ministry on Thursday sharply criticized a visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to Kirkuk, saying it had not been informed of or approved the trip.
 
It is a new low for already-chilly relations between Iraq and its neighbor to the north, which have been marred by disputes.

"It is not in the interest of Turkey or any other party to underestimate the national sovereignty and violate the rules of international relations and not comply with the most basic regulations in the relations of states and officials," a statement on the foreign ministry's website said.
 
"All of that was done without the knowledge or approval of the foreign ministry and without going to the official and diplomatic channels to organize this visit," it said.
 
The foreign ministry statement termed the visit "blatant interference in Iraq's internal affairs," and said that Turkey should be ready for "the results of this action" and its potential "negative effects on relations between the two countries."