ANKARA - State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said on Friday that it was decided that a second border gate would be opened in Ovakoy region between Turkey and Iraq and railway between Nusaybin and Baghdad would be used efficiently.
State Minister Kursad Tuzmen and Iraqi Trade Minister Ali Abdulemir Alawi signed memorandum of understanding which foresees cooperation in many fields between Turkey and Iraq.
Iraqi Governing Council Current President Jalal Talabani also attended the meeting.
Tuzmen said that efforts would be exerted to conclude meetings in January 2004 on opening of Ovakoy border gate.
Stating that the first round talks on improvement of commercial relations between the two countries would be started in January 2004, Tuzmen said that they decided that those meetings would be concluded within two months.
Tuzmen said that it was also decided that technical talks on establishment of border trade centers between Turkey and Iraq would be held in Ankara in the second half of January 2004.
He noted that a delegation comprised of representatives of contracting services and consultation companies would visit Iraq at the end of January 2004.
Stating that they also discussed security issue and Kirkuk-Yumurtalik oil pipeline in the meeting, he said that Iraqi side would take necessary measures for the pipeline to function well and its security.
Tuzmen said that memorandum of understanding would have an important effect on further improvement of relations between the two countries and added that it would start intensive meetings between Turkey and Iraq.
Talabani said that he condemned bomb attacks in Istanbul and offered his condolences to Turkish nation and government.
Stating that those attacks were against humanity, he said that Turkey and Iraq should have more cooperation in fight against terrorism.
Talabani said that an important step was taken regarding cultural, political and economic relations between the two countries with this memorandum of understanding.
Alawi said that they wanted to see Turkish businessmen in Iraq and stated that this memorandum formed a commercial basis with Turkey.
(EÖ-AÖ) 21.11.2003