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Turkish president visits Baghdad Turkish president visits Baghdad
(about 4 hours later)
Turkey's President Abdullah Gul is visiting Iraq, the first by a Turkish head of state for more than 30 years. Turkey's President Abdullah Gul is on a visit to Iraq, the first by a Turkish head of state for more than 30 years.
Mr Gul is expected to meet his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.Mr Gul is expected to meet his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
An Iraqi spokesman said they would discuss a number of issues, including the Kurdish rebel group, the PKK.An Iraqi spokesman said they would discuss a number of issues, including the Kurdish rebel group, the PKK.
The activities of the PKK, which uses bases in northern Iraq to attack Turkey, has long been an issue of contention between the two countries. The activities of the PKK, which uses bases in northern Iraq to attack Turkey, have long been an issue of contention between the two countries.
Turkey stepped up its cross-border operations into Iraq last year, and accused Iraq of failing to stop the rebels, who are fighting for greater autonomy in south-eastern Turkey.Turkey stepped up its cross-border operations into Iraq last year, and accused Iraq of failing to stop the rebels, who are fighting for greater autonomy in south-eastern Turkey.
'Bolstering relations''Bolstering relations'
However, the two countries have pledged to work together to build security and economic ties. Although this is the first visit to Iraq by a Turkish head of state in 33 years, it is the third time the two presidents have met this month.
Last July, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Baghdad for talks with Mr Maliki about greater co-operation over trade, energy and water, and agreed to set up a council to foster relations. The visit is being seen in Turkey as an attempt to shore-up relations with its neighbour as US troops prepare to withdraw, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Istanbul says.
During his visit to Ankara in December, Mr Maliki promised that there would be increased Iraqi government cooperation against the rebels. And it comes amid talk of a possibly ground-breaking development, she adds.
Nasir al-Ani, director of Iraq's presidential office, confirmed that this week's talks would focus on "issues of mutual concern" including the PKK and the distribution of water. Mr Talabani has said a major conference of Kurdish groups from around the world will soon be held in northern Iraq.
The trip is also "aimed at bolstering relations between the two countries", he was quoted by al-Iraqiyah television as saying. And it will be at this summit that Kurds, for the first time, will call on the PKK to end its struggle against Turkey, our correspondent says.
Turkish analysts believe Iraq's Kurds have made a careful calculation, our correspondent adds.
When the US troops leave Iraq, the Kurds will need the support of Turkey on their border to ensure their autonomy - and this will not happen unless they distance themselves from the PKK.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - which is treated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU and US - has waged a violent campaign for Kurdish autonomy since 1984, resulting in more than 40,000 deaths.The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) - which is treated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the EU and US - has waged a violent campaign for Kurdish autonomy since 1984, resulting in more than 40,000 deaths.
Iraqi presidential spokesman Nasir al-Ani confirmed that this week's talks would focus on the PKK issue as well as "water and economic relations".
The trip is also "aimed at bolstering relations between the two countries", he was quoted by al-Iraqiyah television as saying.