US President George W. Bush told Turkish President Abdullah Gul after talks at the White House that Washington would keep helping Ankara's military against their "common enemy," rebels of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

"It's an enemy to Turkey; it's an enemy to Iraq; and it's an enemy to people who want to live in peace," said Bush. "The United States, along with Turkey, are confronting these folks. And we will continue to confront them."

"I would like to thank the president for his determination, as well, in this regard," Gul said through an interpreter during a joint public appearance.

The White House also encouraged Gul's government to pursue talks with leaders in Iraq's Kurdish northern region and leaders in Baghdad to forge a "long-term political solution" to end the PKK's two-decade campaign.

"This has been going on for so long that it's time to put a stop to it," said spokeswoman Dana Perino, who urged Gul to work with Iraq's President Jalal Talabani -- himself a Kurd -- and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Asked whether Washington was proposing any specific political solution, Perino replied: "No, I think that we just would encourage an open dialogue which they have had over the past couple of months."

Asked whether the PKK -- branded a terrorist group by the European Union, Turkey and the United States -- would have a seat at the table, Perino replied: "I don't know whether they talk to terrorists. I know that we do not."

A senior US official, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity, said later that Washington expected Ankara to include leaders of Iraq's northern Kurdish region in the discussions.

The official also said Gul was working to improve the political and economic lot of Kurds in Turkey "to make sure that there isn't a disaffected minority that would be a recruiting pool for the PKK."

And the official said that Turkey did not request "anything specific" in terms of additional US aid to combat the group.

Turkey's military has confirmed three air strikes conducted with US intelligence assistance against the PKK in Iraq since December, cooperation that has helped soothe sometimes strained relations.

Washington has urged restraint from Turkey's military, worried that strikes in northern Iraq could destabilize what has been a relatively stable area in the strife-torn country.

The PKK has waged a bloody campaign for Kurdish self-rule in southeast Turkey since 1984. The conflict has claimed more than 37,000 lives.

On another front, Bush again strongly endorsed Turkey's longstanding bid to become a member of the European Union, saying Ankara was "a fantastic example" of democracy flourishing in a predominantly Muslim country.

"I view Turkey as a bridge between Europe and the Islamic world," the US president added.

Bush, due to leave for the Middle East hours after Gul's visit, said he had briefed his guest on his trip and reiterated his belief in the creation of an independent Palestinian state living at peace with Israel.

"The president is engaged very much in efforts to ensure peace in the Middle East, and we believe that is an important effort which can yield results," said Gul, who said they had also discussed energy issues and the Balkans.

Asked what Washington could do to help Ankara with EU accession, Perino said Turkey faced reform requirements to become a member and the United States would "encourage them to move forward on those reforms."

The United States has warmly backed those aspirations, despite resistance from some EU powerbrokers such as France.

It was Gul's debut trip to Washington since the moderate Islamist politician took office in August.

At a November meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recept Tayyip Erdogan, Bush promised real-time US intelligence on PKK guerrilla movements across the mountainous border between Turkey and Iraq, and acquiesced to Turkish air raids on rebel redoubts, according to US officials.