Senior ministers of Turkey and Iraq met in Istanbul today to boost cooperation in a wide range of areas, mainly in the economic field. Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari pledged to boost cooperation in the fields of security, economics, energy, water and health while Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu described the meeting as a new model of partnership between the two neighbours. The two countries' ministers of the interior, foreign trade, energy, construction, health, transport, agriculture and environment are taking part in the two day talks. The relations between two countries have often been troubled by separatist Kurdish rebels taking refuge in the mountains of northern Iraq. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa will also join for talks aimed at defusing tensions between Baghdad and Damascus. Relations between Iraq and Syria deteriorated after Baghdad alleged that Damascus is sheltering suspects linked to massive 19 August bombings in Baghdad, while Damascus said it wanted evidence from Baghdad. The tension between two countries escalated 25th of last month, when they withdrew their respective ambassadors.