BAGHDAD, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Tuesday renewed his country's rejection and condemnation of the Turkish attacks on targets in northern Iraq.

Hussein's comments came during his meeting with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert in his office in the Foreign Ministry at the edge of the Green Zone in central Baghdad, a ministry statement said.

Hussein underlined the need "to stop such violations by the Turkish side, considering the attacks as violating the international covenants and laws," the statement said.

Turkish forces frequently carry out ground operations, airstrikes and artillery bombardments against the positions of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in northern Iraq, especially the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the PKK.

The Iraqi minister said that the Iraqi "government is keen to pursue a balanced policy in establishing relations with all countries, especially the neighboring ones."

Hussein also revealed that his first visits outside Iraq will be to Iran and Saudi Arabia, with an aim to enhance the bilateral relations, and open horizons for cooperation to achieve common interests.

Hussein and Hennis-Plasschaert, who is the chief of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), also discussed the strategic dialogue held between Iraq and the United States earlier the month, confirming the importance of such dialogue in promoting the interests of the two countries.

The statement also revealed that Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi will visit Washington next month to complete the dialogue between the two countries. Enditem

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