Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi and his Turkish Counterpart Hold Joint Ministerial Meeting

by **Ponee** Fri Nov 21, 2014 9:37 am

November 20 2014

Prime Minister Dr. Haidar Al-Abadi and the Turkish Prime Minister Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu met today in Baghdad. Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al Abadi welcomed the Turkish Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation and expressed his satisfaction with the talks that were held in such a friendly and candid atmosphere, highlighting the Iraqi Government's policy of openness towards all neighbouring countries.

The two leaders discussed strengthening relations in such areas as economy, security, oil, investment, trade and border control. They also discussed joint endeavors to resolve all outstanding problems so as to serve the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and they both acknowledged the need to activate the high level strategic cooperation council.

Prime Minister Al-Abadi noted that the two sides discussed security issues and terrorist threats against Iraq and ways to confront that threat which targets everyone.

An agreement was reached on security and intelligence cooperation to combat Daesh, and the Prime Minister expressed his thanks to the Turkish Government for its support in security and intelligence and its willingness to increase cooperation with Iraq in the fields of military, economy, oil, agriculture and water resources. The Prime Minister repeated his invitation to Turkish companies to increase their investment in all fields in Iraq.

From his part the Turkish Prime Minister said that his visit to Baghdad will open a new chapter in the historic relations between the two countries, reiterating that the stability of Iraq is the stability of Turkey. He noted his government's readiness to do everything to combat terrorist operations against Iraq and expressed willingness to exchange information and intelligence with Iraq. He also expressed his country's desire for full economic cooperation, and hailed the formation of the Iraqi Government, which included the entire spectrum of the Iraqi people. He also extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Al-Abadi to visit Turkey in order to continue their dialogue.

After the official round of talks, the Prime Minister and his Turkish counterpart held a press conference. Prime Minister Al-Abadi noted that the countdown for the end of Daesh had began, and that Daesh is approaching its defeat as Iraq's armed forces had regained the initiative and pushed the threat away from Baghdad, and had now moved to liberate every inch of the land of Iraq. He hailed the victories achieved by the Iraqi Armed Forces and Popular Mobilization Forces in Jurf Al-Sakhar, Baiji and other areas in Salahuddin Diyala, and Anbar.

Prime Minister Al-Abadi stressed that the Syrian crisis should be resolved politically and in order to protect civilians and put an end to this tragedy and build a state that represents all the Syrian people.

For his part, the Turkish Prime Minister reiterated his government's support to Iraq in all areas, such as counter-terrorism cooperation in the face of Daesh, which threatens Iraq and Turkey, and he expressed his country’s readiness to open a new chapter of Iraqi-Turkish relations.

Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi and his Turkish Counterpart Hold Joint Ministerial Meeting 20-11-20145

Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi and his Turkish Counterpart Hold Joint Ministerial Meeting 20-11-20145

Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi and his Turkish Counterpart Hold Joint Ministerial Meeting 20-11-20146

Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi and his Turkish Counterpart Hold Joint Ministerial Meeting 20-11-20147