BRUSSELS, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The European Union hopes its negotiations with Iraq on gas supplies will conclude "very soon," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said here Wednesday.

    In a joint press briefing with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Barroso said the negotiations were of "regional importance" and hoped they could be concluded "in some weeks."

    However, he declined to reveal the contents of the negotiations.

    The EU is trying to reach an outline agreement with Iraq to import gas via a planned pipeline across Turkey to central Europe, in an attempt to diversify its gas supplies following trouble with Russia on the issue in recent years.

    Barroso said the Iraqi prime minister and he had had a "comprehensive and fruitful" meeting and a "very open exchange of views" on a wide range of issues, including security matters and EU assistance.

    The EU is keen to play a key role in Iraq's reconstruction process, Barroso said, adding that "all actors" in Iraq should contribute to the reconstruction and reconciliation process.

    Al-Maliki said Iraq seeks enhanced cooperation with the EU "on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual benefit," and he expressed the hope that his visit would lay the "foundation for a new relationship" with the EU.