Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al -Maliki said that he would be pleased to see bilateral relations withTurkey continue based on mutual respect. In a statement posted on his official web site, Prime Minister al -Maliki underlined that they welcomed every step which would get them closer toTurkey within the frame of mutual interests and mutual respect. In a recent visit to Iraq, the US Secretary of State John Kerry had advised Prime Minister al-Maliki to improve relations with Turkey, according to certain sources.