Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    ANKARA, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that strengthening stability in Iraq was the joint target of Turkey and the United States, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported Friday.

    "Strengthening stability in Iraq is the joint target of Turkey and the United States. Turkey tries to do its utmost to fulfill its responsibilities as a regional country," Erdogan was quoted assaying while delivering a speech at the Columbia University in New York.

    Meanwhile, Erdogan urged Iraq to terminate the ongoing presence of the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) on its northern territories, saying that "Turkey expects both the central government of Iraq and the local administration in the north to take more influential and tangible steps."

    Mentioning that Turkey has recently been elected as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the premier said Turkey has been endeavoring to ensure a lasting environment of peace and stability in the region.

    Touching on the issue of Turkey's EU accession, he said that Turkey would carry on with the process in a fearless and tireless way.

    Turkey's full membership talks with EU started in 2005. Erdogan said "we see the obstacles in front of us, we overcome them with determination and we keep walking on our path."

    Erdogan is set to attend the G-20 Summit to be hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush. The summit will bring together leaders of the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, the People's Republic of China, Indonesia, India, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and the EU to establish a common understanding regarding the global crisis and develop urgent measures.