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"We have the political will to enhance our relations with Iraq"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

22.04.2024

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Al Sudani of Iraq, President Erdoğan said: "Iraq is one of our neighbors with which we have common historical, social and cultural ties, and to which we attribute strategical value. We have the political will to enhance our relations with Iraq on the basis of mutual respect and good-neighbor principle by upholding our common interests. I believe that both my visit and the agreements just signed will be a new milestone in the Türkiye-Iraq relations."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani following their bilateral meeting and the meeting between the delegations.

Thanking Prime Minister Al Sudani for their hospitality, President Erdoğan said: "Iraq is one of our neighbors with which we have common historical, social and cultural ties, and to which we attribute strategical value. We have the political will to enhance our relations with Iraq on the basis of mutual respect and good-neighbor principle by upholding our common interests. I believe that both my visit and the agreements just signed will be a new milestone in the Türkiye-Iraq relations."

"WE WELCOME THE DESIGNATION OF PKK AS A 'BANNED ORGANIZATION' IN IRAQ"

Stating that during the talks they have thoroughly discussed the Türkiye-Iraq relations, President Erdoğan noted: "Security and cooperation in the fight against terror have been the most important items on the agenda of our talks. We have exchanged our views on potential joint steps against PKK terrorist organization and its extensions that target Türkiye. We welcome the designation of PKK as a 'banned organization' in Iraq."

Voicing his belief that PKK will officially be designated as a terrorist organization and its presence on the Iraqi territories will end as soon as possible, President Erdoğan added: "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. In this sense, our expectations regarding joint fight against FETO have been one of the items on the agenda."

"WE WANT TO ELEVATE OUR TRADE VOLUME TO HIGHER LEVELS"

"Iraq is one of our leading trade partners. We want to elevate our trade volume, which approximated 20 billion dollars last year, to higher levels. We have addressed the steps that could be taken in this regard with Mr. Prime Minister. We have discussed what we can do to lift the artificial obstacles before our trade. We have touched upon the vital importance of the Development Road Project in terms of this goal. With the Memorandum of Understanding we have signed, we have strengthened our determination on this strategic plan that will significantly contribute to the stability and prosperity of our entire region, Iraq in particular."

"THE KEY TO REGIONAL PEACE IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT AND GEOGRAPHICALLY-INTEGRATED PALESTINIAN STATE"

Drawing attention to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Palestine, President Erdoğan went on to say: "We are doing our best to stop the bloodshed in Gaza. We have addressed with our counterparts the repercussions on our region of the conflict and the oppression Israel has been carrying out in Palestine. We have discussed potential joint steps. The developments taking place on the axis of Israel and Iran are increasing the risk of the expansion and escalation of the war, what is more they are pushing the massacre in Palestine into the background. Our Iraqi brothers and sisters are being adversely affected by the tension as well. I would hereby like to remind all the parties my suggestion of avoiding steps that would escalate the tension. The key to regional peace is the establishment of an independent, sovereign and geographically-integrated Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital. We as Türkiye continue to work to that end. We have shown that we stand by our brothers and sisters in Gaza by sending more than 45 thousand tons of humanitarian aid so far. We will mobilize all our means for our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Palestine from now on as well."

"WE HIGHLY VALUE IRAQ'S DEMOGRAPHICAL RICHNESS"

Stating that they will go to Erbil as well as part of the Iraq visit, President Erdoğan continued as follows: "Before that we will meet with our Turkmen brothers and sisters, who are an essential part of Iraq. We will discuss additional means for cooperation in Erbil. On this occasion, I would like it to be known that we do not make any discrimination among different ethnic, sectarian or religious groups in our policies towards Iraq. The Iraqi people are our brothers and sisters, and friends regardless of their ethnic origin or sect. We see the entire Iraq as a whole and highly value Iraq's demographical richness. We will inshallah continue to look our relations with Iraq from the perspective of friendship, brotherhood and neighborhood. We will continue to stand by our Iraqi brothers and sisters in their good and bad times, as has been the case so far. I believe that my visit, which is taking place in a critical period in terms of regional developments, will inshallah conduce to new beginnings."