BBC News Online: World: Middle East

Turkey reopens Iraq rail-link

The first train to travel between Turkey and Iraq in almost 20 years has arrived in Baghdad marking the likely resumption of commercial rail links between the two neighbours.

On board were just 26 passengers - a mixture of Turkish dignitaries, businessmen and journalists.

But both Ankara and Baghdad are confident that many more will be making the trip in the near future as relations between the two neighbours continue to improve.

The rail link was closed in 1981 following regional disagreements.

Gulf War

Relations between the two countries reached a new low during the 1991 Gulf War: Turkey opposed Baghdad's invasion of Kuwait and backed the Allies.

It continued that support by allowing Allied planes to use it as a base to carry out air-raids over northern Iraq.

But Turkey's opposition to Saddam Hussein came at a price - $35bn worth in bilateral trade, according to the Turkish Government.

So it is with some eagerness that Turkey now hopes to re-establish regular commercial links with its neighbour.

And with the possibility of United Nations sanctions against Iraq being scaled down - Ankara clearly feels now is as good a time as any to renew an old business relationship.