Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his commitment to strengthening relations with Iraq during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani.

The conference followed bilateral meetings and discussions between the delegations of both countries.

President Erdoğan emphasized the historical, social, and cultural ties that bind the two nations, acknowledging Iraq’s strategic value to Turkey. He expressed a strong political will to foster these relations based on mutual respect and the principle of good neighborliness, with a focus on common interests.

“I believe that both my visit and the agreements just signed will be a new milestone in the Türkiye-Iraq relations,” Erdoğan stated, expressing gratitude for the hospitality extended by Prime Minister Al Sudani.

Türkiye welcomes Iraq’s stance on PKK

The conference also saw discussions on security and cooperation in the fight against terror, with the PKK terrorist organization being a significant point of focus. Erdoğan welcomed Iraq’s decision to designate the PKK as a ‘banned organization’.

Expressing his belief that the PKK will soon be officially recognized as a terrorist organization and its presence on Iraqi territories will end, Erdoğan said: “This is a requirement of our neighborly and brotherly relations as well. We stand ready to provide any support to the Iraqi government in every step they will take to that end.”

The Turkish President also mentioned their expectations regarding a joint fight against FETO, indicating that it was one of the key items on their agenda. (ILKHA)