Foreign Ministry: Erdogan's visit to Baghdad next month

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[size=52]Foreign Ministry: Erdogan's visit to Baghdad next month[/size]

[size=45]The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan intends to visit Iraq next month. "The visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is still ongoing and he will conduct it next month to discuss relations with Iraq," Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hisham Al-Alawi said in a press statement.[/size]
[size=45]In addition, a government statement received by (Al-Mada) stated that “Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani discussed yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan the bilateral relations between the two countries, ways to consolidate mutual cooperation at various levels and levels, and research in strengthening economic partnership, and efforts to combat terrorism. Between the two countries". Al-Sudani stressed, according to the statement, that “Iraq is serious about presenting all files, in a spirit of cooperation and good neighborliness, in addition to the availability of promising opportunities for more economic and commercial cooperation.” He stressed that "the development path project is the best example of this, as it represents one of the most important economic corridors in the region and the world, and contains the large available economic opportunities." Al-Sudani referred to “the Iraqis’ confrontation with terrorism,” noting that “security and stability are a priority for the Iraqi government, and it will not allow any party or organization, under any name, to tamper with security or use Iraqi lands as a springboard for attacking neighboring countries.” In this context, he said, "This is a firm principled position as stipulated in the story," stressing "the trend towards activating more cooperation within the framework of joint security committees with Turkey and adopting dialogue, away from unilateral action." Al-Sudani also pointed out "the need for coordination between Iraq and Turkey, on various regional issues, to adopt common positions that serve the interests of the two friendly peoples."[/size]
[size=45]He appreciated the recent Turkish initiative to "increase water releases of the Tigris River," calling on the Turkish side to "increase water releases of the Euphrates River as well, especially that Iraq is on the verge of a religious visit and millions of crowds from inside and outside the country." Al-Sudani stressed the importance of “consensus on this file for the common interest and preservation of mutual rights,” noting “the agreement to form a permanent committee between the two countries to deal with the water file.”[/size]
[size=45]For his part, the Turkish Foreign Minister appreciated "the efforts of the Iraqi government in combating terrorism and seeking to improve the infrastructure."[/size]
[size=45]He expressed Turkey's desire and readiness to support Iraq in various fields, stressing "the serious direction and keenness to solve the outstanding problems between the two countries." The Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, announced yesterday that his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, proposed during their meeting in Baghdad to form a permanent joint committee on the water issue between the two countries. Hussein said during a joint press conference with Fidan, "This is the first visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Baghdad," pointing to "holding a practical and important meeting with the Turkish foreign minister on Iraqi-Turkish relations."[/size]
[size=45]He added, "The meeting touched on the water file, as the two countries are affected by climate change."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein referred to "the discussion of Iraq's access to a fair share of water, and the Turkish minister suggested the formation of a permanent joint committee to discuss the issue." He stressed that "drought threatens the Iraqi economy and agriculture," noting that "the meeting dealt with the file of the Turkish military presence in Iraq." Hussein said, "The Iraqi constitution does not allow any organization to use Iraq as a launching pad for attacks on neighboring countries."[/size]
[size=45]He noted, "The meeting also discussed facilitating granting Iraqis entry visas to Turkey, as there are about 700,000 Iraqis living in Turkey." He continued, "The meeting touched on the necessity of holding a meeting of the joint economic and trade committee, and also discussed the need to speed up agreement on memorandums of understanding and putting them into action."[/size]
[size=45]For his part, Fidan stated during the press conference, "Working at the highest levels to solve the outstanding problems between the two countries," adding that "Turkey supports Iraq's territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty."[/size]
[size=45]He referred to "the support of the government of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia'a al-Sudani and his efforts to renew the infrastructure in the country and his vision in establishing the development road project and the importance he attaches to the project."[/size]
[size=45]Fidan pointed out, "This project will bring prosperity to Iraq and the region and turn Iraq into a transport hub in the region," calling on all countries in the region to "support the development path project."[/size]
[size=45]And he indicated, "The meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein touched on issues of combating terrorism and what is related to the Kurdistan Workers' Party, and we discussed removing obstacles in front of investors in the two countries," stressing "Turkey's readiness to support Iraq in the war on terrorism."[/size]
[size=45]Fidan explained, "The volume of trade between Iraq and Turkey reaches 25 billion dollars, and it lags behind the real potential."[/size]
[size=45]Fidan concluded, "The Turkish government is closely following the water shortage in Iraq, and we are dealing with the issue from a humanitarian point of view. During the talks, it was reached to form a permanent joint committee on water."[/size]
[size=45]It is noteworthy that Iraq receives 70% of its water through neighboring countries, and the revenues have declined due to the implementation of water projects by those countries without returning to it, in addition to a clear decrease in rainfall as a result of climate changes.[/size]
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