Almost two years have elapsed since the regime change in Iraq, which has been a turning point in the history of the country and the Middle East at large.

An important phase in Iraq’s future will commence following the January 30th elections. The Interim Parliament and the Government which will be formed after the elections will also assume the responsibility of administering the constitutional process which may have a determining effect over the future of the country.

January 30th elections will provide an opportunity to expedite the political transition in Iraq, establish Iraq’s national unity and territorial integrity on solid foundations, promote lasting peace and stability in the region, as well as for the people of Iraq to embrace peace and well-being, through a democratic and representative government.

We are aware of the extremely difficult conditions under which the elections will take place and of the very existence of serious problems of participation in the elections for certain segments of the Iraqi people which constitute inseparable parts of the population.  These problems need to be resolved in a fair and a pragmatic manner for the sake of social peace and stability in Iraq. Matters such as voter turnout, whether or not the democratic will of the nation will be reflected to election results in a just and equitable manner can only be evaluated once the results are announced.

Turkey supported the political process in Iraq based on the principle of preservation of Iraq’s national unity and territorial integrity at various fora such as the conference of Iraq’s Neighbors, the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, OSCE and the OIC. With this understanding in mind, we have made provisions for the Iraqis living in Turkey to cast their votes during the elections (OCV) within the framework agreed upon between the Iraqi Independent Election Commission and the IMO.

After January 30th elections, restoration of law and order, securing of the broadest possible representation of all segments of the Iraqi society, participation in the political and constitutional processes in the newly established order will be among the topics that will have to receive prior consideration.

In this current phase of events, it will be important, as much as the international community’s  sensitivity towards the rights and expectations of the Iraqi people,  that the people of Iraq also act with a sense of reason in responding  to the expectations of the neighboring countries and the international community regarding  peace, security and stability. Therefore, we call upon all segments of the fraternal people of Iraq to act in a  spirit of responsible citizenship and national conscience; to be mindful of the crucial nature of the current process for the future of their society, to exercise their  right to vote which is one of the main pillars of their citizenship rights and legitimacy, to seize this opportunity to establish a new national consensus, and  to put the interests of the nation above narrow group interests.

In the same vein, we call upon the Interim Government of Iraq, all the political leaders of the Iraqi people, the Coalition Forces in Iraq,  the United Nations and  the wider international community to be sensitive in the face of the complexities  and to take effective steps with a view  not to allow the shortcomings  and obstacles  jeopardize the political process and peace in Iraq.