Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Receives Turkish Foreign Minister to Discuss Enhancing Joint Collaboration and Regional Security

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Mr. Hakan Fidan, in Baghdad on 26 January 2025. 

During the joint meeting between the two ministers they reviewed bilateral relations between the both neighboring countries and means of advancing them to greater prospects to serve the common interests. In addition the meeting addressed the latest regional and international developments of common concern.

The Minister and his Turkish counterpart held a joint press conference in which Minister Hussein welcomed Minister Fidan, and his accompanying delegation, commending the distinguished relations between Iraq and Turkey. As well Minister Fuad Hussein indicated  that Iraq is holding ongoing talks  with Turkey to strengthen bilateral relations, outlining that the current talks focuses on how to develop cooperation between the two countries, especially after the visit of His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Baghdad, which witnessed the signing of several memorandums of understanding.

Minister Fuad Hussein affirmed that the meeting dealt with the mechanisms for implementing these memorandums and added that there are broad areas of cooperation including the energy sector, water management, commercial matters, banking, and financial issues, and supporting private companies, whether Turkish operating in Iraq, or Iraqi operating in Turkey, additionally they discussed political issues and ways to enhance joint coordination.

Regarding the situation in Syria, Minister Hussein added that the discussions included the circumstances surrounding the two countries and the common understandings on how to deal with developments in Syria, affirming that Iraq and Turkey are in constant contact with the new administration in Damascus, for the purpose of joint coordination on issues of common concern. Minister Hussein also indicated the importance of addressing the security situation on the Iraqi-Syrian border, especially with regard to Da’esh terrorist organization

On his part, Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that Turkey views the relations with Iraq from a strategic perspective, indicating that the visit of His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Iraq last April was a historic visit, as twenty seven agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, in addition to the establishment of the “Joint Planning Group” and permanent committees as part of the framework agreement. 

Minister Fidan added that as Iraq enjoys security and stability, Turkey also enjoys them which contributes to the prosperity of the two peoples. As well the Turkish Foreign Minister said that Turkey support the development projects, including the “Development Road” project, expressing his hope for achieving tangible results soon, in addition he stressed that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries reached (20) billion dollars, with the possibility of increasing it in the future.

The Turkish Foreign Minister outlined that the understanding on security and stability is crucial, especially in the area of combating terrorism. 

The two sides discussed ways to enhance security collaboration with the possibility of broadening the framework to include other countries, they also touched on regional controversial issues, stressing the importance of not allowing differences to destabilize the region.

The Turkish Foreign Minister referred to the efforts of the Iraqi government in maintaining security and adopting a balanced and constructive policy. The talks also touched on the situation in Gaza, developments in Lebanon, and the importance of turning the ceasefire into a permanent situation, while stressing the need to stop Israeli attacks.

At the end of the conference, the two ministers stressed the continuation of close cooperation between Iraq and Turkey in areas of common concern, to serve the interests of the two countries and enhances security and stability in the region.