Following Minister Fidan’s contacts in Iraq, a joint statement came from Iraq and Turkey. The parties stated that PKK is a threat to Türkiye and Iraq. The joint statement contains the following statements:
“Turkey welcomed the decision taken by the Iraqi National Security Council that the PKK is a banned organization in Iraq.”
The statement also underlined that PKK poses a security threat to Türkiye and Iraq.
The following statements were included in the declaration:
1- Mr. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, and Mr. Fuad Hüseyin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, accompanied by the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey, the Head of the National Intelligence Organization and the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Defense of Iraq, the Undersecretary of Iraqi National Security, the Chairman of the Hashd al-Shaabi Commission. They met in Baghdad on March 14, 2024, while he was the Deputy Head of the Intelligence Organization and the KRG Minister of Internal Affairs.
In these contacts, which are a continuation of the talks they held in Ankara on December 19, 2023, the parties discussed their common attitude in the face of regional developments and various challenges in bilateral areas.
Preparations for the planned visit of the President of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to Iraq after the month of Ramadan were also discussed. The parties confirmed that all efforts will be made for the success of this historic visit and noted that they hope it will provide a leap forward in bilateral relations.
2- During the meetings, it was decided to intensify work on a Memorandum of Understanding in order to create the structural framework in various fields of relations between the two countries and thus establish regular contact mechanisms.
3- The Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Iraq have agreed that, through this text they will prepare with the understanding of establishing a strategic framework for relations, the authorities of the two countries will work in a coordinated manner, at regular intervals and with a result-oriented approach.
4- In this context, it has been decided to establish Joint Standing Committees that will work exclusively in the fields of fight against terrorism, trade, agriculture, energy, water, health and transportation.
5- During the meetings, the importance given by both parties to Iraq’s political unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity was emphasized. The parties also underlined that the PKK poses a security threat to Turkey and Iraq and noted that the presence of the said organization on Iraqi territory means that it violates the Iraqi Constitution. Turkey welcomed the decision taken by the Iraqi National Security Council that the PKK is a banned organization in Iraq. The parties consulted on the measures to be taken against the organizations and their extensions that target Turkey using Iraqi territory.
6- The parties exchanged views on the challenges in the region, especially the genocide in Gaza, and confirmed their strong will to support the Palestinian cause.
7- The parties agreed to continue the negotiations in a regular and uninterrupted manner within the framework of the foreseen contact mechanisms.