Iraq VP: Iraq cannot permit PKK to commit attacks in Turkey

The Iraqi Vice President, Iyad Allawi on Wednesday said Iraq can not allow the PKK to carry out attacks in Turkey from its territory.

“We in Iraq must not allow the PKK to carry out attacks against Turkey” Allawi said at the Amman Security Colloquium which kicked off Wednesday in the University of Jordan. “We must protect Turkey and Iran, and these two states should do the same for us” he added.

“In our region we face grave challenges, not least of which is nuclear weapons proliferation” the Iraqi Vice- President said, adding “We therefore must develop peacefully with a view to confronting these challenges”.

“The concept of citizenship has begun to retreat in the region, with sectarianism and political Islam dominating our thinking,” he said.

Allawi has called for a regional Arab conference with the participation of Iran and Turkey.

The Amman Security Colloquium which is organized by the Arab Institute for Security Studies in Jordan started Wednesday with the participation of local and international personalities including the former Turkish President, Abdullah Gul.

Turkey’s 11th President Abdullah Gul (2nd L), Vice President of Iraq Ayad Allawi (L), Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Prince Khalid Bin Faisal Al Saud (3rd R) attend the 10th Amman Security Forum in Amman, Jordan on November 16, 2016. ( Salah Malkawi – Anadolu Agency )

AMMAN, JORDAN – NOVEMBER 16: Lassina Zerbo the Executive Secretary of the CTBTO attends the 10th Amman Security Forum in Amman, Jordan on November 16, 2016. ( Salah Malkawi – Anadolu Agency )

AMMAN, JORDAN – NOVEMBER 16: Turkey’s 11th President Abdullah Gul (2nd L) speaks during the 10th Amman Security Forum in Amman, Jordan on November 16, 2016. ( Salah Malkawi – Anadolu Agency )

Ex-Vice President of Iraq Ayad Allawi [alah Malkawi/Anadolu Agency]

AMMAN, JORDAN – NOVEMBER 16: Vice President of Iraq Ayad Allawi speaks during the 10th Amman Security Forum in Amman, Jordan on November 16, 2016. ( Salah Malkawi – Anadolu Agency )

AMMAN, JORDAN – NOVEMBER 16: Jordanian Princess Sumaya bint Hassan speaks during the 10th Amman Security Forum in Amman, Jordan on November 16, 2016. ( Salah Malkawi – Anadolu Agency )

Former President of Turkey Abdullah Gul in Amman, Jordan on 16 November 2016 [Salah Malkawi/Anadolu Agency]

AMMAN, JORDAN – NOVEMBER 16: Turkey’s 11th President Abdullah Gul (L), Jordanian Princess Sumaya bint Hassan (2nd L) and Vice President of Iraq Ayad Allawi (R) attend the 10th Amman Security Forum in Amman, Jordan on November 16, 2016. ( Salah Malkawi – Anadolu Agency )