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Turkey supports opening new border gates with Iraq

ANKARA, Feb 1 (KUNA) -- Turkey's Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said Thursday that his country supports the opening of two new border gates with Iraq.
The Iraqi federal government is the only authority on goods entering that country, Zeybekci said in a press statement following his meeting with Iraqi Acting Minister of Planning Salman Al-Jumaili.
Turkey backs all initiatives in that regard, he said, affirming his country's rejection of taxes and measures implemented by authorities other than the Iraqi federal government.
Meanwhile, Zeybekci mentioned that trade volume between Ankara and Baghdad has increased by 15 percent in 2017 compared to 2016, expressing hope to increase the volume this year.
For his part, Al-Jumaili said Turkey is Iraq's biggest trading partner, noting that the Iraqis prefer Turkish goods for their fine quality.
He also urged Turkish firms to contribute in Iraq's reconstruction efforts, pointing out the cost of damages caused by the so-called Islamic State (IS) in his country, which amounts to nearly USD 100 billion.
The opening of the two Turkish border gates would prevent double taxation and allow quick entry for Turkish goods to Iraq, he said, affirming that security worries in his country have decreased significantly. (end) rs.ma