Leaders of the regional administration in the north of Iraq said they would demonstrate solidarity and cooperate fully with Turkey against PKK, Turkey's foreign trade minister said on Tuesday.

Zafer Caglayan, accompanied by a large group of Turkish businessmen, is currently in Iraq. His visit to regional administration aims to boost trade between Iraq and Turkey.

"Leaders of the regional administration told me that they would demonstrate full solidarity with Turkey," Caglayan told reporters following his meeting with Massoud Barzani, the leader of the regional administration in northern Iraq.

Caglayan said his visit aimed at further improving trade ties and political relations, and also boosting cooperation against PKK.

Turkey has been fighting PKK over the past 26 years. Turkey has launched several cross border operations into the north of Iraq in the past to track down PKK militants, who took refuge at the their mountain camps there. The militant group uses the region as a launchpad for its attacks inside Turkey.

Earlier in June, Barzani paid a visit to Turkey where he condemned PKK attacks staged by the PKK and vowed support for Turkey in its fight against PKK militants.

Referring to Barzani's recent visit to Ankara, Caglayan said regional administration reaffirmed support to Turkey's struggle and Turkish government's democratic initiative.

"Leaders of the regional administration expressed full support to this national unity and fraternity project," Caglayan said.

"He told us that we are members of the same family and we are very pleased with his remarks," he added.


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