High-level U.S. diplomat in Turkey to hold talks on Iraq

Fried met the undersecretary of the foreign ministry, Ertugrul Apakan, CNNTurk reported on Tuesday.Â

Bilateral U.S.- Turkish relations, the fight against the terror organization PKK, as well as the new process in relations between Turkey and the Kurdish regional administration in northern Iraq were expected to be among the issues topping the agenda in the contacts.

"We are always open to new ideas," Fried was quoted by CNNTurk as saying when asked about the trilateral mechanism between the governments in Ankara, Baghdad and Washington.

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Monday Turkey is considering three-way consultations with Iraq and the United States for fresh measures to purge PKK bases in neighboring Iraq.

He added this trilateral mechanism is not a format that can substitute bilateral mechanisms Turkey is separately carrying out with the United States and Iraq.

Turkey, provided with intelligence by the United States, has stepped up its campaign to crackdown on the PKK, after the terror organization increased its attacks on Turkish soldiers, as well as civilians.Â

Turkey, which accuses its southern neighbor of failing to halt the violence of the terror organization, PKK, has also intensified its direct contacts with Iraqi officials to discuss the possible measures that can be taken in the fight against the PKK.

Fried is expected to depart Turkey later in the day.

Photo: Reuters