Turkey to focus on Constitution, Kirkuk

During a meeting of Iraq's neighboring countries in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül is expected to underline the importance of Iraq's political unity and territorial integrity.

The Istanbul gathering begins today with a meeting of high-level officials. Gül will emphasize the vital importance of Iraq's future Constitution, as it will determine the destiny of  the country, and voice Turkey's support for the process of drawing it up, Anatolia news agency said.

He is due to call upon Iraqis to be sensitive in their relations with all groups and to live peacefully both in the country and in the turbulent region. Gül will also underline the importance of meeting the schedule set for the preparation of the future Iraqi Constitution and will detail Turkey's preparedness to provide assistance in areas of politics and economics, the agency added.  

Another message Gül is expected to convey during the Istanbul meetings is a repeat of Turkish concerns over the status of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, whose ownership is disputed among Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens. According to Anatolia, Gül will tell the participants of the meeting that the dispute should be resolved by the future Iraqi Constitution that should maintain a balance of the needs and interests of all the people and groups that call Iraq home.