Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has stated that Turkey expects Iraq to formally recognize the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) as a terrorist organization, a group that has already been outlawed by Ankara. Çavuşoğlu made these remarks during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, in Baghdad as part of his official visit to the Iraqi capital.
Çavuşoğlu emphasized that a stronger and more prosperous Iraq would directly contribute to Turkey’s own stability and prosperity. “The more secure and stable Iraq becomes, the greater the peace and tranquility in our region,” he said. He reiterated Turkey’s support for measures aimed at enhancing Iraq’s security and prosperity, adding that Ankara is actively participating in initiatives to restore peace in the region.
The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed that achieving lasting stability and prosperity in Iraq requires ensuring complete security. He highlighted the recent security cooperation agreement between Turkey and Iraq as a significant step in this direction. “Our cooperation in the fight against terrorism, particularly against ISIS and the PKK, is of utmost importance,” Çavuşoğlu said. He noted that the PKK poses a threat not only to Turkey but also to Iraq and Syria, underscoring the need for regional unity in combating terrorism. “We must pool all our resources to eliminate both ISIS and the PKK for the future, peace, and prosperity of our region,” he added.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed satisfaction with Çavuşoğlu’s visit, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. “We have robust relations with Turkey, and we are pleased with this visit,” Hussein said.
During his trip, Çavuşoğlu also met with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi in Baghdad, further solidifying discussions on regional security and cooperation. The meetings underscored the shared commitment of both countries to addressing security challenges and fostering stability in the region.
