Iraq approves power plant project of Turkish company, Turkish minister says

ARBIL (A.A) - Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said on Wednesday that Iraqi electricity ministry approved Turkish company ENKA's power plant project worth $235 million in Iraq. Caglayan said Turkey always attached a great importance to unity in Iraq after holding a meeting with Massoud Barzani, head of the regional administration in the north of Iraq, in Irbil. After the meeting, Caglayan told reporters that they discussed economic relations between Turkey and Iraq in the meeting which was a fruitful one. Turkey was always in favor of unity of Iraq, he said. Caglayan said Iraq was of great importance for Turkey and it had the second place in Turkey's exports. New border gates should be opened to boost trade between the two countries, he said. Replying to questions, Caglayan said that Iraqi electricity ministry approved ENKA's project and Iraq's health ministry also approved another company's $125-million hospital project. (Reporting by Recep Demir)