Iraqi Minister says Turkey can invest in oil resources

We are doing our best to promote commercial relations with Iraq, Ergun said.

Minister Ergun met with the Iraqi Minister of Trade Safaa Al Deen Al Safi in Ankara on Wednesday.

Speaking at the beginning of the meeting, Ergun said that relations between Turkey and Iraq have always been "friendly and brotherly".

Relations between countries are important. Yet relations between neighbors carry greater importance. Turkey and Iraq are close to each other geographically, culturally and historically, Ergun noted.

Neighboring countries should get together more often, Ergun said.

"Turkey and Iraq share deep rooted relations. It is hard to describe our bilateral relations with words. The feelings of closeness between our peoples must be strengthened by political, social, economic and cultural ties," Ergun said.

We have made important progress in our relations. Turkey and Iraq have close political ties and have signed many agreements. We conduct joint meetings of the council of ministers from the two countries, Ergun said.

We are doing our best so that the bilateral relations get developed. Our strength is Iraq's strength, Ergun said.

Al Safi, in his part, said that they have observed great support to Iraq's restoration from Turkish officials and businesspeople.

Our two countries cooperate in various political and economic fields. Such cooperation should be further developed, Al Safi said.

Turkey has taken important steps in industrial and foreign trade sectors. We have noticed Turkey's progress especially in the construction field. Our goal is to carry bilateral relations forward and make use of Turkey's experiences, Al Safi stressed.

There are close to 200 industrial complexes in Iraq all waiting to be updated. We can work together with the Turkish private sector in various projects and joint investments, Al Safi noted.

Iraq possesses rich natural resources that Turkey can utilize. Iraqi production of oil and income from this oil will increase in the next five years. Revenues from oil will be used in the restoration of Iraq. We can have joint projects in this field as well, Al Safi also said.

Ergun's meeting with Al Safi later continued behind closed doors.

/World Bulletin/