Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is in Turkey for talks on preventing raids into Turkish territory by Kurdish separatists based in northern Iraq.

Ankara has warned the Iraqi government either to crack down on Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) bases or face a possible incursion by Turkish troops.

Correspondents in Baghdad say it is not known what assurances Mr Maliki will give the Turkish authorities.

Turkey has boosted troop levels along the Iraqi border in recent months.

The PKK has been labeled as a terrorist organization by both the US and the EU.

The PKK aims to create a Kurdish state, part of which would be in south-east Turkey.

The Turkish authorities say the rebels key bases are in northern Iraq.

For decades the group has targeted Turkish security forces and has been blamed for attacks on foreign tourists.

Eighty Turkish soldiers have died in skirmishes this year.

Economic benefits

The trip comes just two weeks after the Turkish general election - the campaign for which was punctuated by repeated calls from the Turkish military to be allowed to conduct cross-border raids on PKK bases.

Re-elected for a second five-year term, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan now has the opportunity to raise Ankara's concerns directly with his Iraqi counterpart.

Mr Erdogan will be hoping to hear reassurances that Baghdad is serious about preventing PKK infiltration across the border.

Before his visit, Mr Maliki said he wanted to develop good relations and co-operation with Turkey, but stressed he wanted to deal with Iraq's internal affairs alone.

Meanwhile, the meeting could promise economic benefits for both sides.

With the poor security in Iraq deterring direct investment by Western oil companies, the Iraqi and US governments have signaled their interest in Turkish companies playing a role in bringing the country's oil and gas reserves to market.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki (l) and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan