Iraqi Interim President Ghazi al-Yawar arrived here on Monday to seek cooperation between the two neighboring countries on security and trade issues.

The trip of al-Yawar, being accompanied by Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Trade Minister Muhammad al-Jabburi, is the first high-level visit to Turkey after transfer of sovereignty in Iraq.

Al-Yawar will meet Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul before leaving on Tuesday.

Their talks are expected to focus on increased security measures for Turkish truck drivers and workers.

The first beheading of a Turk by Iraqi insurgents earlier this month, the abduction of others by separate militant groups and Turks still missing in Iraq have forced Turkish companies to suspend their operations in the war-ravaged country.

Turkish officials are expected to share their action plan with al-Yawar and request his administration's contribution during the two-day talks with the Iraqi delegation. "This is not only Turkey's problem, many other countries are experiencing the same troubles," a Turkish official was quoted by Turkish Daily News as saying on Monday.

Meanwhile, the official disclosed that Turkey will seek to hold detailed discussions on the safety and danger of various trade routes within Iraq.

"Which parts of the country are more risky and which are safer -- that is going to be discussed," he said.

Source: Xinhua