Turkey Says, “We Understand Korea’s Troop Dispatch to Iraq”

President Roh Moo-hyun held a one-hour summit meeting yesterday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. President Roh asked for Turkey’s understanding and support for Korea’s additional dispatch of troops to Iraq.

President Roh asked Turkey to help other Islamic countries understand that the Korean government’s decision to send more troops was based on the desire to facilitate peace in, and the reconstruction of, Iraq.

Prime Minister Erdogan understood Korea’s policy toward Iraq and promised to support Korea’s efforts, presidential spokesperson Yoon Tai-young said.

The two leaders agreed that the peaceful resolution of North Korea’s nuclear issue would be vital to maintaining the international non-proliferation regime.

The two leaders also agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in the following areas:

1) Further cooperation in international organizations’ efforts to fight proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism,

2) Facilitate bilateral discussions through policy and economic councils, the joint economic committee, and through the economic cooperation forum,

3) Enhance bilateral cooperation in IT, fishery, shipbuilding, and nuclear energy,

4) Facilitate exchanges in education, culture, and tourism

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan invited President Roh to pay a state visit to Turkey.

Meanwhile, President Roh will hold a meeting on Wednesday with ambassadors from 13 Arab countries and a joint press conference with five Arab media outlets including Al-Ahram and Al-Jazeera.

Jeong-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com