Iraq FM: Neighboring states must respect Iraq's sovereignty

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iraq Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated on Saturday that neighboring states must respect Iraq's sovereignty, as he met Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, on the sidelines of the 58th Munich Security Conference.

A statement issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two officials discussed "friendship and cooperation between the two neighboring countries and ways to advance them, in addition to a number of files of common interest, and a review of the regional and international situation."

Hussein noted the importance of neighboring countries respecting Iraq's sovereignty, affirming Baghdad is keen to establish peaceful relations with regional states and solve problems through diplomacy.

For his part, the Turkish Defense Minister pointed to the importance of joint security cooperation with Iraq. He said Ankara believes in the stability and sovereignty of Iraq, and highlighted "the distinguished ties" between Turkey and Iraq, and bilateral efforts to further develop them.