ANKARA - Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari was set to hold talks with Turkish leaders on Friday on mainly economic and security issues at the start of a two-day visit which is his first official trip abroad since coming to office last month.
"There is a common destiny, a partnership of interests between Iraq and its friend Turkey when it comes to oil, water resources and energy," Jaafari told reporters upon his arrival in Ankara late Thursday, the Anatolia news agency reported.
"These are the main issues that will be taken up during my visit," he added.
Jaafari is accompanied by a large ministerial delegation, including the ministers of oil, finance, trade, electricity and industry. The minister for water resources is expected to join the delegation on Saturday, Anatolia said.
The Iraqi leader will meet his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday before the two men hold a press conference.
Turkish officials say Jaafari's talks in Ankara will focus on bilateral ties and possible cooperation in the reconstruction of Iraq.
Turkey wants to help rebuild the war-torn country and supports the post-war political process, but has several concerns that it sees directly linked to its own security.
Ankara is particularly uneasy that separatist Turkish Kurd rebels who went into hiding in the mountains of northern Iraq prior to the US-led invasion are increasingly infiltrating Turkey to engage in anti-government violence.
It is frustrated that no action has so far been taken against the rebels, considered as terrorists by both Turkey and the United States.
Ankara is also worried about the future of the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, claimed by Iraqi Kurds as well as Turkmens, an Iraqi minority of Turkish descent.
05/20/2005 06:38 GMT