Iraqi FM strengthens bilateral ties with Turkey during official visit
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein is on an official visit to Turkey, where he and his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, have reaffirmed their commitment to a strategic framework agreement between the two nations.
In a statement posted on social platform X on Thursday, Minister Hussein described his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan as productive.
عقدت اليوم اجتماعًا مثمرًا مع معالي الصديق @HakanFidan ،تم بحث أُطر تعزيز التعاون المشترك بين بلدينا.تناولنا خلال اللقاء سبل تفعيل اتفاق الإطار الاستراتيجي الذي تم توقيعه أثناء زيارة الرئيس أردوغان إلى #بغداد، مؤكدين على أهمية تعميق العلاقات الثنائية بما يخدم المصالح المشتركة. pic.twitter.com/BgcBJFzzWE
— Fuad Hussein | فؤاد حسين (@Fuad_Husseein) August 15, 2024
He emphasized that the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and deepening relations that serve the common interests of both Iraq and Turkey.
One of the key points of the meeting was the implementation of the strategic framework agreement, initially signed in Baghdad by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The agreement is aimed at bolstering collaboration across various sectors, particularly in security and economic development.
In conjunction with the visit, the fourth meeting of the security mechanism between Turkey and Iraq was held in Ankara on Thursday.
This meeting, chaired by Foreign Ministers Hussein and Fidan, was part of ongoing efforts to maintain and strengthen cooperation within the framework established by both countries.
Read More: Iraqi FM arrives in Ankara for high-security talks
The Iraqi High Security Committee had previously met on August 11, 2024, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
The meeting, attended by Kurdistan Region's Interior Minister Rebar Ahmad, focused on preparations for the committee’s visit to Turkey and the upcoming discussions.
As part of the ongoing security dialogue, Turkish Defense Ministry sources emphasized the importance of Iraq's declaration of the PKK as a "banned organization." Turkey is pushing for the PKK to be fully recognized as a "terrorist organization," reflecting Ankara's stance on the group's activities in the region.
This visit underscores the growing ties between Iraq and Turkey and the mutual interest in addressing shared security concerns and enhancing economic partnerships.