Top Turkish officials visit Iraq to discuss terrorism, energy issues
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and head of the National Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalin visit Iraq to discuss counterterrorism efforts and the Iraq-Türkiye oil pipeline
A Turkish delegation, led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and head of the National Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalin, is set to visit Iraq today for crucial talks regarding counterterrorism efforts.
According to sources, the Turkish delegation will request the Iraqi government to officially designate the PKK as a terrorist organization.
The long-standing issue of the PKK, which has strained relations between the two countries, will be thoroughly discussed.
The issue of eliminating the terrorist organization, which challenges Iraq's sovereignty, from these territories will also be evaluated.
The focus will be on developing a "common understanding" in the fight against terrorism, as stated by a Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday.
Plans for activation of the Joint Operation Center
Highlighting a previous joint statement with Iraq where "the PKK was identified as a mutual threat for both nations," Oncu Keceli, the spokesperson, said that Türkiye sees the recognition of the terror group as a common security threat by Iraqi authorities as "a sign of their determination to combat the PKK within Iraqi borders."
Another important topic for Türkiye is the activation of the Joint Operation Center proposed to Iraq two years ago, with Ankara planning for the mechanism to identify PKK-held areas and plan operations.
The Turkish delegation's visit comes ahead of the Türkiye-Iraq Security Summit meeting in Baghdad, hosted by Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.
In its over 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S. and the European Union, has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 individuals, including women, children and infants.
The YPG serves as the PKK's Syrian branch.
PKK militants often seek refuge in northern Iraq to plan and launch attacks into Türkiye.
Energy topics will also be discussed
Touching on energy matters, Keceli mentioned discussions regarding the development of natural gas resources in Iraq and their export to international markets.
Regarding the Iraq-Türkiye Oil Pipeline, which has been inactive for some time, Keceli stated: "We proposed last October that shipments could resume through this pipeline, and we are ready. However, it appears that the Iraqi side is not yet prepared to restart shipments."
Türkiye hopes for an agreement to be reached through mutual dialogue and understanding, with shipments through the pipeline recommencing "as soon as possible," added Keceli.
Source: Newsroom
