Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi received here Saturday his Turkish counterpart Ben Ali Yildirim – on the first visit to Iraq since the outbreak of a standoff between the two sides over sending Turkish troops to the Iraqi town of Bashiqa in late 2015 without the Iraqi government's approval.

During the two-day visit, Yildirim will travel to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region in Iraq.

Yıldırım is accompanied by Ministers Fikri Isik of Defense, Ismet Yilmaz of Education, Berat Albayrak of Energy and Human Resources, Nihad Zabka of Economy and Bulent Tovnkja of Customs and Trade.

The talks are meant to enhancing Baghdad-Ankara ties, Turkey's respect of national sovereignty and putting an end to the Turkish forces presence in Iraq, said the Iraqi premier's spokesman Saad al Hadithi.

The spokesman highlighted the importance of coordinating efforts to combat terrorist organizations, citing the recent terrorist attacks in Turkey.

The third meeting of the high-level strategic cooperation council is scheduled to be held under Abadi and Yıldırım.

The Turkish premier will hold talks with Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Parliament Speaker Salim al Jabouri as well as several Iraqi politicians and officials.

Source: MENA