By Aysu Bicer

GAZIANTEP, Turkey

Iraq’s ambassador to Turkey stressed the importance of trade relations between Baghdad and Ankara during an official visit to southeastern Gaziantep province on Friday.

“The first step will be to develop trade relations with Turkey when full security and stability is ensured in Iraq,” said Hussain Mahmood Fadhlalla Alkhateeb.

The ambassador made the comments while meeting with representatives of companies exporting to Iraq as part of his visit.

Underlining that trade relations between the two countries had been badly affected by developments in Iraq and the region, he said: “As the welfare level of Iraq develops, trade relations with Turkey and interest in Turkish commodities will increase as well.”

He said the Strategic Relations Commission, established in 2008, will hold a meeting in Iraq in the near future, and negotiations will be conducted to improve trade relations between Turkey and Iraq.