ANKARA - The Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi has arrived in Turkey on Saturday to hold talks.
After having arrived at Ankara's Esenboga International Airport, Hashimi answered questions of journalists.
I have come to Ankara to exchange viewpoints on our bilateral relations with Turkey, Hashimi said.
Reminding journalists that the visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Iraq was postponed due to his health condition, Hashimi stressed that he wanted to be sure about Gul's health and whether or not Gul still had a will to visit Iraq.
"We do want to see President Abdullah Gul in Iraq," Hashimi said.
Asked if he has brought any special message from Iraq, Hashimi said that a new period began in Iraq after the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement (SOFA).
"There are many issues to be discussed with Turkey based on mutual interests. We want to develop our bilateral relations in every field," Hashimi said.
In response to a question on whether or not the regional administration in north of Iraq was ready to fight against terrorist organization PKK, Hashimi said that "I can confirm such news. Prior to my arrival in Ankara, I have talked to the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Talabani urged me to give you the message that the Iraqi Kurds are open minded in developing bilateral relations".
Hashimi stressed that the recent visit of several (Turkish) deputies to north of Iraq ended with a positive result.
These positive developments will help in ending cross-border attacks of terrorist organization PKK on Turkish targets and promote economic relations between Turkey and Iraq, Hashimi said.
Hashimi is in Turkey on a working trip and will hold talks in both Ankara and Istanbul.
Hashimi will be received by Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Saturday. He will meet with Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Sunday.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is expected to visit Turkey next week. Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari is also expected to visit Turkey soon.
(SOL-GC)
(DIP)