The joint final statement regarding the meeting of the security mechanism between the Republic of Iraq and the Republic of Turkey in Baghdad on March 14, 2024:
1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, Fuad Hussein, met in Baghdad on March 14, 2024, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, the Head of the Intelligence Service, and the Deputy Minister of the Interior from the Turkish side, and the Minister of Defense, the National Security Advisor, and the Chairman of the National Security Council. The Popular Mobilization Forces, the Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Region, and the Undersecretary of the Intelligence Service from the Iraqi side.
These discussions are a continuation of the discussions held by the two countries in Ankara on December 19, 2023, where the two sides discussed their common position that will be adopted in the face of regional developments and various challenges in the bilateral fields.
The two sides also discussed the ongoing preparations for the upcoming visit of His Excellency the President of the Turkish Republic, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Baghdad after the holy month of Ramadan, and the work that this requires with the utmost capabilities to prepare for this historic visit and make it successful, which it is hoped will be a qualitative shift in the relations between the two friendly neighboring countries.
2. It was decided during the meetings to intensify work to adopt a memorandum of understanding, in order to create the structural framework in various aspects of relations between the two countries, and thus establish regular communication mechanisms.
3. The two sides agreed, through the memorandum of understanding that they will prepare, to establish a strategic framework for relations, whereby the authorities of the two countries will work in a coordinated manner, at regular intervals, and with an approach directed towards the desired results.
4. In this context, it was decided to establish joint permanent committees that work exclusively in the fields of combating terrorism, trade, agriculture, energy, water, health, and transportation.
5. During the meetings, the importance attached to Iraq’s political unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity was emphasized.
The two sides also stressed that the PKK organization represents a security threat to both Turkey and Iraq, and it is certain that the presence of this organization on Iraqi territory represents a violation of the Iraqi constitution.
Turkey welcomed the decision taken by the Iraqi National Security Council to consider the PKK an organization present in Iraq. The two sides consulted on the measures that must be taken against the organization and its banned extensions that target Turkey through the use of Iraqi lands.
6. The two sides also discussed the serious challenges that the region is going through, especially the war and genocide in Gaza, and ways to support the Palestinian cause were discussed.
7. In conclusion, the two sides agreed to continue meetings and communications on these issues within the relevant frameworks between the two countries.
