Iraqi, Turkish Leaders Pledge Deeper Ties in Phone Call
According to al-Sudani's media office, the two leaders prioritized the strategic Development Road infrastructure initiative, underscoring its significance for economic growth and foreign investment. Discussions also centered on broadening commercial exchange and cross-sector collaboration.
The statement from the Iraqi premier's office highlighted both sides' commitment to sustained security coordination and eliminating remaining terrorist elements, while championing diplomatic engagement and conflict de-escalation measures.
Türkiye's Communications Directorate reported that Erdogan signaled Ankara's determination to deepen Iraqi partnerships, especially in commerce, while noting that enhanced joint counterterrorism efforts would serve mutual interests.
The Development Road initiative seeks to establish a transportation corridor linking Iraq's Al-Faw Grand Port on the southern coast through Türkiye's frontier and extending into Europe. The project was inaugurated following a four-nation memorandum of understanding signed by Iraq, Türkiye, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates in Istanbul during 2024.
Bilateral relations between the neighboring states have shown marked improvement since Erdogan's 2024 Baghdad visit. Yet friction persists regarding the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) presence in northern Iraq. Ankara classifies the PKK as a terrorist organization and has launched military strikes in the region—actions Baghdad has periodically denounced as sovereignty breaches. Iraq formally classified the PKK as a "banned organization" in 2024.
This week, Baghdad condemned statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that appeared to suggest potential military action targeting the PKK in northern Iraq, characterizing them as a grave insult to diplomatic relations. Türkiye's Foreign Ministry countered that Fidan's comments were distorted by certain Iraqi media outlets and misinterpreted, with ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli reiterating Ankara's dedication to security collaboration and joint counterterrorism operations with Baghdad.
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