“The Development Road Project Will Contribute to the Stability of Both Iraq and Our Entire Region”
“The Development Road Project Will Contribute to the Stability of Both Iraq and Our Entire Region”
President Erdoğan, in a joint press conference held with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, stated: "The Development Road Project will make significant contributions to the stability and prosperity of both Iraq and our entire region. We invite all countries interested in the Development Road to become part of this strategic project.”
Following their one-on-one and inter-delegation meetings, and the signing ceremony of several agreements, President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Al-Sudani made statements to the press.
President Erdoğan emphasized that his visit to Iraq last year marked a serious momentum in bilateral relations and praised the determination and vision displayed by Al-Sudani as playing a crucial role in reaching this point.
Expressing his commitment to further strengthening ties, President Erdoğan said:
"Together with my dear brother, we have just thoroughly discussed Turkey-Iraq relations and exchanged views on regional developments, particularly the situation in Syria. We have signed documents that will take our relations even further. I would like to proudly emphasize this fact: our deep historical, human, and cultural ties with Iraq mean that we do not view our relations merely as ties between two states. We consider advancing our cooperation in all fields as a duty stemming from our fraternal bonds.”
“We Do Not Separate Iraq’s Peace and Stability from Our Own”
President Erdoğan underlined that Turkey has never viewed Iraq’s peace and stability separately from its own.
He stated that the meetings focused heavily on cooperation in security and the fight against terrorism, continuing: "We reaffirmed our determination to jointly combat PKK, FETÖ, and Daesh, all of which pose threats not only to Turkey but also to Iraq’s national security. We once again underlined that terrorism has no place in the future of our region. Our trade volume with Iraq approached 18 billion dollars last year. However, we believe our potential is much greater, and we are continuing our efforts with this understanding.”
President Erdoğan added: "The Development Road Project will significantly contribute to the stability and prosperity of both Iraq and our entire region. During our meeting, we discussed steps for the rapid implementation of the project. We invite all countries interested in the Development Road to be part of this strategic project. With the Framework Agreement on Water signed last year and the cooperation mechanisms we established, we are focusing on joint projects with Iraq, including the rehabilitation of infrastructure. We aim to move swiftly on topics such as the resumption of oil shipments through the Iraq-Turkey Oil Pipeline.”
President Erdoğan also expressed a strong desire to deepen cooperation in electricity and to expand it into natural gas and other energy sectors.
He noted that they also discussed further steps to be taken in banking, industry, education, and higher education.
President Erdoğan highlighted that thanks to Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s prudent approach, Iraq has been making important contributions to regional stability. He expressed his belief that Iraq’s development of good neighborly relations with Syria is of great importance for the region’s peace and stability, and said that Turkey would continue working with Iraq on this issue.
He criticized Israel’s aggressive policies that began in Gaza and spread to Lebanon and Syria, stating that the consequences are evident: "Israel believes it can ensure its own security by dragging the region into bloodshed, tears, and instability. This is a delusion that will become even clearer over time.”
“We Are Concerned About the Escalation of Tension Between Pakistan and India into Armed Conflict”
President Erdoğan pointed out that Israel’s complete obstruction of humanitarian aid deliveries has brought the famine threat in Gaza to a catastrophic level, potentially resulting in mass deaths. "We agreed with my dear brother on the need to increase pressure on Israel and to do whatever is in our power," he said.
"We are deeply concerned that the tensions between Pakistan and India have escalated into open conflict through missile strikes that have claimed many civilian lives. I extend my condolences to our Pakistani brothers and to the people and government of Pakistan for those who lost their lives in the attacks.”
“We Are Making Every Effort to Open Dialogue Channels”
President Erdoğan recalled his important phone call the previous day with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and noted that they welcomed Pakistan's proposal for an international investigation into the heinous terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
He continued: "Despite those who are adding fuel to the fire, we are making every effort to reduce tensions and open channels of dialogue before events reach an irreversible point. The Turkmens of Iraq, who defend Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity, continue to contribute to both Iraq and Iraq-Turkey relations despite all challenges. I appreciate my brother Sudani’s sensitivity regarding the protection of the rights and interests of Iraqi Turkmens. I especially find it meaningful that he included the President of the Iraqi Turkmen Front in his delegation. May Allah preserve and strengthen the brotherhood between Turkey and Iraq.”
President Erdoğan thanked Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani for his visit, wishing that their consultations and the decisions they made will be a source of blessings.
Iraqı Prıme Mınıster Al-Sudanı: "The Development Road Project Represents A Great Opportunıty To Strengthen The Integratıon Between The Two Countrıes"
In his speech, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani mentioned that during his meeting with President Erdoğan, they also discussed the important and strategic Development Road Project for Iraq. He stated, "This project presents a great opportunity to further strengthen the integration between the two countries. It is of significant importance both for our countries and for the region."
Pointing out that the issue of terrorism affects both countries, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani said, "We consider Iraq's security as Turkey's security. Our government's stance on the PKK is firm. According to Iraqi laws, the PKK organization is, of course, a banned organization. According to the constitution, we will not allow any group to use Iraq's territory to attack Turkey."
He also noted that they discussed regional developments and highlighted the alignment between Turkey and Iraq's views on Palestine and Gaza. "A massacre is being committed in Gaza," he said.
Regarding Syria, al-Sudani emphasized that Iraq's stance is clear, stating, "We consider Syria as part of our national security."
Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani expressed his gratitude to President Erdoğan for his contributions to strengthening and advancing bilateral relations between Turkey and Iraq.
Agreements Sıgned Between The Two Countrıes
Following the one-on-one and delegation-level talks between President Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani, several agreements were signed between the two countries.
The "Standard Operational Procedures Agreement on Voluntary Return and Reintegration of Iraqi Nationals" was signed between the Directorate General of Migration Management of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Turkey and the Migration Affairs Directorate of the Ministry of Migration and Displaced Persons of the Republic of Iraq. The agreement was signed by Ahmet Küçükikiz, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of Migration Management, and Safa Hüseyin Ahmed, Head of the Migration Affairs Directorate.
The "Memorandum of Understanding on Education Cooperation between the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Iraq" was signed by Lieutenant General Nail İlbey and Major General Ziyad Taha Ali El Abbasi.
The "Memorandum of Understanding on Education Cooperation between the Gendarmerie General Command of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Iraq" was signed by İlbey and Abbasi.
The "Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fight against the Illegal Trafficking of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Republic of Iraq" was signed by General Director of Security Mahmut Demirtaş and Major General Ziyad Taha Ali Al Abbasi.
The "Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster and Emergency Management Cooperation between the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of the Republic of Turkey and the National Crisis and Disaster Management Center of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Iraq" was signed by Ali Hamza Pehlivan, Head of AFAD, and Major General Ziyad Taha Ali Al Abbasi.
The "Additional Protocol to the 2009 Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Information and Communication Technologies between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Communications of the Republic of Iraq" was signed by Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, and Dr. Haydar AbdDhahad, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The "Memorandum of Understanding between AYDA International Integrated Defense Systems Trade Inc. and Al Zaman Group for General Trading, Contracting and Shipbuilding LLC" was signed by Musa Heybet, Deputy Minister of National Defense, and Ahmed Shaban, Chairman of the Board of Al Zaman Group.
The "Memorandum of Understanding between the Higher Education Council of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Iraq on the Establishment of Branches and Education Programs of Turkish Universities in Iraq" was signed by Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Higher Education Council, and Dr. Haydar AbdDhahad, Deputy Minister.
The "Memorandum of Understanding on Metrology Cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Planning of the Republic of Iraq" was signed by Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology, and Fuad Hüseyin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq.
The "Memorandum of Understanding on Localization in the Defense Industry between the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey and the Military Industry Commission of the Republic of Iraq" was signed by Yaşar Güler, Minister of National Defense, and Mustafa Ati Hassan, Military Industry Advisor to the Prime Minister of Iraq.
The "Memorandum of Understanding on Legal Cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Turkey and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Iraq" was signed by Yılmaz Tunç, Minister of Justice, and Fuad Hüseyin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iraq.