Middle East
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani (right) and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (left) in a meeting in Baghdad on January 26, 2025. Photo: Sudani’s office
EBRIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani received Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, including the situation in Syria.
Sudani “reiterated Iraq’s readiness to coordinate with neighboring countries, especially Turkey, regarding ongoing regional developments. He reaffirmed Iraq’s stance against turning Syria into a battlefield,” a statement from his office said.
The prime minister also reiterated Iraq’s commitment to implementing agreements signed during his visit to Ankara in November and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad in April last year.
Security coordination between Ankara and Baghdad has expanded since Erdogan visited Iraq in April, signing dozens of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in various areas, including infrastructure, water management, and security.
Fidan, delivering Erdogan’s greetings to Sudani, “expressed Turkey’s keenness to maintain close coordination with Iraq on regional developments” and stressed Ankara’s interest in strengthening bilateral ties “building on the mutual visits of the two leaders,” according to the statement.
He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to the Development Road project and cooperation under signed agreements in energy, education, trade, and banking.
The Development Road project is planned from southern Iraq to the Turkish border, connecting the Persian Gulf with Turkey. It aims to enhance Iraq’s geopolitical position, boost the economy, and create thousands of job opportunities. The route is expected to link Iraq with the European Union via Turkey.
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid also received Fidan and his delegation in Baghdad, emphasizing the importance of the memorandums of understanding. Rashid reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to strengthening ties with Turkey based on mutual respect and called for the agreements to be implemented in a way that serves both nations’ interests.
Sudani “reiterated Iraq’s readiness to coordinate with neighboring countries, especially Turkey, regarding ongoing regional developments. He reaffirmed Iraq’s stance against turning Syria into a battlefield,” a statement from his office said.
The prime minister also reiterated Iraq’s commitment to implementing agreements signed during his visit to Ankara in November and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad in April last year.
Security coordination between Ankara and Baghdad has expanded since Erdogan visited Iraq in April, signing dozens of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in various areas, including infrastructure, water management, and security.
Fidan, delivering Erdogan’s greetings to Sudani, “expressed Turkey’s keenness to maintain close coordination with Iraq on regional developments” and stressed Ankara’s interest in strengthening bilateral ties “building on the mutual visits of the two leaders,” according to the statement.
He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to the Development Road project and cooperation under signed agreements in energy, education, trade, and banking.
The Development Road project is planned from southern Iraq to the Turkish border, connecting the Persian Gulf with Turkey. It aims to enhance Iraq’s geopolitical position, boost the economy, and create thousands of job opportunities. The route is expected to link Iraq with the European Union via Turkey.
Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid also received Fidan and his delegation in Baghdad, emphasizing the importance of the memorandums of understanding. Rashid reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to strengthening ties with Turkey based on mutual respect and called for the agreements to be implemented in a way that serves both nations’ interests.
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