Gul to visit Iraq next week

President Abdullah Gul is set to pay a two-day official visit to Iraq next week, the highest-level visit between the two countries since 1976. Gul is reportedly to meet with his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani and representatives from various ethnic and religious groups in Baghdad's Green Zone. Gul will tell Talabani about the social, cultural and economic aspects of the Kurdish issue and measures to address it. They will also exchange views on Turkey's intention to open a consulate in Basra and free trade zones. Gul will attend a dinner given in his honor by Talabani, with the attendance of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani, and other high-level figures.