Iraq, Turkey discuss Syria, regional security in Baghdad
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein announced on Sunday during a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in Baghdad that their discussions focused on regional issues, bilateral cooperation, and ongoing dialogue with Syria.
Hussein and Fidan explored a wide range of security and economic matters of mutual interest, including the situation in Syria, border-related concerns, and the “Development Road” project aimed at enhancing regional connectivity.
Speaking at the press conference, Hussein described the relationship between Iraq and Turkey as “good” and emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen ties, especially following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent visit to Baghdad.
He added that their discussions included economic and political matters, as well as the regional dynamics surrounding both nations, with continued engagement with the new administration in Damascus on the situation in Syria.
This visit follows the signing of 27 agreements and memorandums of understanding between Iraq and Turkey in April 2024, covering areas such as water resource management and broader cooperation to deepen bilateral relations.
For his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described Turkey’s relationship with Iraq as “strategic,” emphasizing that Iraq’s stability and security have direct positive implications for Turkey.
He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to advancing the “Development Road” project and participating in joint development initiatives, while highlighting the importance of security coordination between the two countries.
Fidan also stressed the need to address regional disputes to ensure the security of both nations and confirmed the continuation of intelligence-sharing efforts between Baghdad and Ankara to tackle shared security challenges.