Ankara - Iraqi President Jalal Talabani held talks in Istanbul with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on Tuesday with the main topic being how to increase security so as to increase bilateral trade, the NTV television station reported.

NTV quoted a Turkish presidential spokesman as saying the half- hour meeting in Istanbul was held in good spirits and that the two presidents stressed the need for greater security in the region which would lead to the "great potential" to increase trade. The two also discussed a wide range of other issues, the spokesman said.

The two presidents met on the sidelines of the World Water Forum taking place in Istanbul. No press conference was given after the meeting. (dpa)