Turkish President Erdogan leaves for Iraq’s capital Bagdad

By Mehmet Yusuf Melikoglu and Esra Tekin

ANKARA (AA) – Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday left for Iraq’s capital Baghdad to hold meetings with Iraqi officials.

Erdogan was accompanied by the country’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, his chief advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic and other ministers.

Erdogan is expected to discuss bilateral and regional issues during his meetings with his Iraqi counterpart Abdul Latif Rashid and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al Sudani.

Erdogan will also visit Erbil in northern Iraq after Baghdad talks.

"During President Erdogan's visit to Erbil, especially in meetings with regional government officials, I am confident that they will share their vision on strengthening our relationship and ... ensuring internal stability and peace in Iraq,” said Fidan on Sunday at a news conference.