Iraq, Turkey vow to boost ties, act against Kurdish rebels

[Barrett808]

Source: AFP

Iraq, Turkey vow to boost ties, act against Kurdish rebels
by Hande Culpan

ANKARA (AFP) - The leaders of Iraq and Turkey pledged Friday to take measures against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq during talks to soothe tensions following a Turkish cross-border offensive against the militants.

"The aim of this visit is to be able to establish strategic and solid relations with Turkey," Iraq's President Jalal Talabani said after talks with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.

"We want our cooperation to be a model relationship for the Middle East," Talabani said through an interpreter, adding that Baghdad wanted closer energy, economic, cultural and political ties.

Welcoming Talabani to Ankara for his first visit as head of state, Gul made a similar call and said both countries would hold further talks to work out the detail of what he said was the common vision for bilateral ties.

"I believe that if we tap into the great potential between Turkey and Iraq, we will produce a great neighbourly relationship," he said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080307/wl_mideast_afp/turkeyiraqdiplomacyunrest

[Dr.Phool]

1. That peace and democrazy is just flying around the Mid-east.

Ain't it?