Turkish foreign minister visits Kirkuk

KIRKUK, Iraq - Agence France-Presse

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Kirkuk Governor Representative Necmettin Kerim. DHA Photo

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu visited north Iraq city of Kirkuk today.

His visit comes a day after Davutoğlu met northern Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leader Masoud Barzani, for talks that focused on the conflict in Syria, and at a time of notably cool relations between Baghdad and Ankara.

Davutoğlu met Kirkuk province officials during a rare visit by a high-ranking Turkish official to the city amid tight security, according to an AFP journalist.

"We see Kirkuk as rich in its resources and diversity, so it will be one of the leading cities in the Middle East, and we as Turks are ready to serve Kirkuk and Iraq," Davutoglu told journalists.

Davutoğlu met Barzani yesterday.
 
"The situation in Syria is dangerous and catastrophic, and the behaviour of the Syrian regime and its policies of creating a sectarian and ethnic conflict are on the rise, and developments in Syria represent a threat to regional stability and security," a statement on the meeting on Barzani's website said.
 
The two sides agreed to cooperate on efforts "to help the Syrian people to achieve their legitimate aspirations for a free and diverse democratic Syria," it said.