Türkiye, Iraq reaffirm commitment to ‘combat all forms of terrorism’

Türkiye and Iraq have reiterated their dedication to combatting all types of terrorism. 

It is obvious that terror teams such because the PKK, Daesh and FETO “pose a threat to both countries,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned in a joint news convention with Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani in Ankara on Tuesday. 

“During our meeting, we discussed all aspects of our bilateral relations. We reaffirmed our determination to fight all forms of terrorism,” he mentioned, including that their talks centered on Türkiye’s efforts towards the terrorist organisations. 

“Our expectation from our Iraqi brethren is that they will designate the PKK as a terror group and clear their lands of this bloodthirsty terrorist organisation,” Erdogan mentioned.

PKK terrorists have hideouts in northern Iraq, throughout the Turkish border, which they use to plot assaults on Türkiye. 

In its greater than 35-year terror marketing campaign towards Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the US and EU – has been accountable for the deaths of greater than 40,000 folks, together with girls, kids and infants. 

“Türkiye, again, is the greatest defender of Iraq’s political unity and territorial integrity,” Erdogan mentioned. 

Although variations in understanding could come up between neighbours at instances, Türkiye and Iraq have all the time proved that they’re decided to resolve the problems in keeping with neighbourhood regulation, he added.

Erdogan additionally thanked the Iraq authorities and its folks for his or her solidarity after the 2 highly effective earthquakes shook Türkiye’s southern areas on February 6, and mentioned the premier’s go to is seen as a token of the friendship of the Iraqi folks.

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‘New Silk Road’

On transportation hall from Türkiye’s border to the southern Basra province of Iraq, Erdogan mentioned: “We have assigned our ministers who will carry out the work to realise the development road project extending from Basra to Türkiye.” 

“I believe that we will transform this project into the new Silk Road of our region,” he mentioned, including that the mission can be strategically necessary for the whole area. 

The Turkish president additionally affirmed that Ankara and Baghdad share the identical sensitivities on additional growing bilateral commerce, and the leaders exchanged views on options to resolve points that business folks and residents face. 

On Türkiye’s water difficulty with Iraq, Erdogan mentioned Ankara views it “not as a conflict, but an area of cooperation that can serve our common interests.” 

“We have decided to increase, as much as possible, the volume of water released from the Tigris River for one month to help alleviate Iraq’s distress,” he mentioned. 

Al Sudani thanked the Turkish president for the choice on growing water. 

In Iraq, 98 % of its floor water, which is within the excessive water stress class, comes from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The nation is dependent upon water from the 2 rivers, which circulate from Türkiye and Iran, however lately the outflow decreased as a consequence of low rainfall. 

Al Sudani mentioned Iraq conveyed to Türkiye its “desire to enhance relations in all fields.” 

On the battle towards terrorism, he careworn that Iraq won’t permit any terror group to make use of its territory for assaults on Türkiye. Security issues might be overcome with improved intelligence sharing, Al Sudani added.

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Source: AA