European countries can co-operate with the United States to help rebuild Iraq after the current war, US Secretary of State Colin Powell told European officials via a video link to a conference in Greece today.
"I have no doubt that whatever their views on the war, America and Europe will work together to help the liberated people of Iraq for a better future in the region", said Mr Powell, a day before he was due to meet the EU's foreign policy makers in Brussels.
Mr Powell's statement was screened to an international conference on transatlantic relations taking place in the town of Vouliagmeni, near Athens. Organisers said it was recorded on yesterday.
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Turkish anti-war protestersdemonstrate against the visit of the US Secretary of State ColinPowell, in Ankara
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The broadcast came as the US official was due to visit the Serbian capital Belgrade before heading to Brussels.
Mr Powell was in Turkey earlier in the day where he reported the Turkish government had agreed to let the US use its territory to resupply forces in Iraq.
"We have solved all the outstanding issues with respect to providing supplies through Turkey to those units" in northern Iraq, Mr Powell said at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.
Mr Powell's one-day visit is aimed at mending relations between the two countries.
Just minutes before Mr Powell arrived at the Turkish foreign ministry, riot police arrested some 50 anti-war protesters who had been shouting "Get out of Turkey" and "US murderer".
Mr Powell, who arrived in Ankara last night, was also due to meet Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and armed forces chief of staff General Hilmi Ozkok.
Agencies