Turkey eyes further trade cooperation with Iraq

Visiting Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has emphasized that his country seeks to enhance trade cooperation with Iraq, saying "my visit to Iraq was successful".
Addressing a joint news conference with Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani on Friday, Davutoglu said that he discussed with Barzani security situations and the attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on the country.
Davutoglu added that at least two million Iraqis have so far fled into Turkey due to such attacks, stressing that Ankara constantly provides support to the displaced Iraqis.
He noted that the size of trade exchange with Iraq hit about USD 12 billion, of whom USD 8 billion with the Kurdistan Regional Government.
For his part, Barzani said his discussions with Davutoglu focused on combating terrorism, adding the new Iraq government aims at creating positive atmospheres and strong relations with Turkey.
Earlier in the day, Turkish Premier arrived and met with leaders in Iraq's Kurdistan capital of Irbil, his second stop in the violence-plagued country after Baghdad.
He and the delegation accompanying his had arrived in Baghdad on Thursday on an official visit and held meetings with Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi and Speaker of Parliament Salim Al-Jabouri.
Source: KUNA