ISTANBUL - Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen met Iraqi Deputy Premier Barham Salih in Istanbul on Thursday within the scope of ''2nd Turkey-Arab Economic Forum''.
''Tomorrow, Iraqi Trade Minister will visit ongoing International Iraq Fair in Turkish southeastern city of Gaziantep,'' Tuzmen told reporters following the meeting.
Noting that Turkey still does not have a bank branch in Iraq, Tuzmen said, ''I asked help from Salih to open a Turkish bank branch in Iraq. This is a need.''
''We have discussed oil transport, passage from Habur border gate as well as new border gates. There are different alternatives for new border gates. Iraqi and Turkish foreign ministry officials will take care of this issue. We will set the new routes,'' noted Tuzmen.
Iraqi trade and petroleum ministers also attended the meeting.