UPDATE WITH MORE REMARKS FROM TURKISH, IRAQI FOREIGN MINISTERS, EDITS THROUGHOUT
By Esra Tekin
ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye and Iraq on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in security, military and counterterrorism, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
The MoU was signed by the defense ministers of the two countries, Fidan said at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Türkiye’s capital Ankara, following the 4th meeting of the Türkiye-Iraq High-Level Security Mechanism.
Fidan highlighted that Ankara and Baghdad have made significant progress to fulfill the will demonstrated by their leaders, noting an increased awareness about the PKK terror group in Iraq.
He also said that Türkiye and Iraq had been negotiating the MoU for some time.
Fidan expressed confidence that the cooperation will be elevated to a higher level through joint coordination and training centers outlined in the agreement.
He further expressed the desire to advance the understanding being developed with Iraq on counterterrorism through concrete steps on the ground.
Emphasizing the importance of Iraq designating the PKK first as a "common threat" and then as a "banned organization,” Fidan said: "In today's meeting, we thoroughly addressed the security, military, and intelligence aspects of our relations, particularly the fight against the PKK. We explored additional cooperation opportunities and expressed our satisfaction with Iraq's decision to close three political parties linked to the PKK."
Fidan said that they continue to implement strategic decisions to further institutionalize Türkiye’s historical relations with Iraq.
He noted that recently they have intensified mutual contacts at political and technical levels, strengthening their relations.
Fidan underlined that this positive trend was crowned by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "historic visit" to Iraq in April.
He described the signing of 27 agreements and memorandums of understanding during Erdogan’s visit as "the most important manifestation of joint will."
Stating that the Strategic Framework Agreement between the two nations envisions the establishment of Joint Permanent Committees in necessary areas of cooperation, Fidan said these committees strengthen relations in areas such as trade, energy, water issues, transportation, health, and education.
The Turkish foreign minister pointed out that the Joint Planning Group established by the Strategic Framework Agreement is responsible for overseeing the committees and directing their work.
He further added that in the preparatory meeting of the Joint Planning Group, chaired by the deputy ministers of both countries, the stages of implementing the signed agreements and activating the permanent committees were discussed.
Hussein, for his part, said that the MoU on security signed between Türkiye and Iraq is first of its kind in the history of the two countries.
He further said that the PKK terrorist group is “now a banned organization” in Iraq, adding: “Terrorism also threatens Iraqi society.”
Türkiye and Iraq will establish a joint security coordination center in Baghdad, and a joint training and cooperation center in Bashika to combat terrorism.
All these centers will enable the two countries to collaborate in their fight against terrorism, particularly the PKK terrorist group, according to the Turkish diplomatic sources.
Fidan said that Baghdad and Ankara are in “full agreement” on the issue of Gaza.
"Today, we have decided to start implementing visa exemption for Iraqi citizens under 15 and over 50 years old, as agreed during President Erdogan's visit to Baghdad, beginning from Sep. 1,” he added.