The Turkish Foreign Ministry will train Iraqi diplomats as part of efforts to help stabilize the situation in Iraq, the Anatolia news agency reported on Monday.

The program to train Iraqi diplomats, a project undertaken by foreign ministry's Training Center upon the request of the Iraqi government, was initiated in the Turkish capital Ankara, said the report.

Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ahmet Uzumcu was quoted as saying at the opening ceremony of the program that 450 Iraqis had been trained so far in various associations in Ankara.

"Turkey will continue efforts aimed at stabilizing Iraq. We offered to host one of meetings in the context of regional reconciliation process," Uzumcu said.

Noting that Turkey and Iraq have enjoyed a comprehensive and cooperative relationship over the past decades, Uzumcu stressed that political and economic cooperation between the two countries remained dynamic despite present difficulties.

Uzumcu also said that Turkey watched the latest developments in Iraq with deep concern and the Turkish people shared the sorrow of the Iraqi people.

Meanwhile, the Turkish parliament organizes a training program with cooperation of Turkish International Cooperation Agency and Turkish Association of Legislation for administrators and specialists from the Azerbaijani parliament, focusing on exchange of information and experience between the two countries' parliaments.

Specialists from the Turkish parliament will give lectures and organize seminars on the activity system of parliament focusing on issues such as parliament's foreign relations, basic concepts of legislation, techniques for lawmaking, commissions and legislation process, general council activities, budgetary law, auditing methods, public relations, culture, art and publishing activities.

The training program for the Azerbaijanis will end on Nov. 3.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2006)