Italian minister visits Turkey

Ankara, Turkey -- Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, in Turkey for two days of talks, urged the government to refrain from cross-border incursions into Iraq.

Instead, D'Alema urged Turkish officials to work with the Iraqi government and leaders in Iraqi Kurdistan on denying a safe haven to the Kurdistan Workers Party, usually known by the acronym PKK, the Turkish Daily News reported. The group has been carrying on an independence movement in Turkey for years.

D'Alema gave an interview to the Anatolian News Agency before leaving for Turkey. His visit began Tuesday.

Turkey has been increasing its military presence on the border with Iraqi Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region in Iraq.

D'Alema said a Turkish incursion would only add to Iraq's instability.

Italy supports Turkey's bid to join the European Union, D'Alema said.

Copyright 2007 United Press International.