Special envoy to Iraq Ozcelik meets with Talabani

Turkey's Special Envoy to Iraq Murat Ozcelik yesterday met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. The two discussed subjects such as a possible visit by President Abdullah Gul next week and the tripartite counter-terrorist mechanism between Turkey, the US and Iraq. Talabani also conveyed a message to Gul saying that Turkey and Iraq are two important countries in the region and also strategic partners. "Nobody, not even the terrorist PKK, can ruin this partnership," it added. In related news, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan visited Aleppo as part of his visit to Syria, and saw Aleppo University.