Cicek: Turkey Is Holding Talks With Iraqi Central Government On Various Levels

ANKARA - Turkish State Minister and government spokesman Cemil Cicek said on Monday that Turkey is holding talks with Iraqi central government as well as Iraqis on various levels.
Holding a press conference after the Council of Ministers meeting, Cicek said that the whole infrastructure of Iraq collapsed due to war, adding that there are difficulties in many areas in Iraq. Cicek noted that Iraq imports even its basic needs, and it is doing this via Turkey.
He said that foreign trade volume between Turkey and Iraq is three billion USD, adding that there is an opportunity to double this figure.
Regarding fight against terrorism, Cicek said, "fight against terrorism does not have only military dimension. It is necessary to take political, cultural and economic measures against terrorism."
He added that Higher Board of Counter-Terrorism will convene on Friday.
(GC)