The Iraqi vice-president, Taha Yassin Ramadan, has said that trade with Turkey can only be increased if there's a corresponding improvement in political relations.

The Iraqi news agency said he told the visiting Turkish minister of state, Mehmet Batalli, that Turkey should not let itself be influenced by foreign pressure.

Correspondents say he was referring to the United States which has consistently opposed lifting international sanctions against Iraq.

Mr Battali has been in Iraq to try to secure more trade under the agreement that allows Baghdad to sell limited amounts of oil to pay for food.