Turkey’s FM Cavusoglu arrives in Iraqi Kurdistan, meets with Kurdish officials
HEWLÊR-Erbil, Iraq’s Kurdistan region,— Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu arrived in Iraqi Kurdistan region capital city of Erbil on Sunday night to meet with senior Kurdish leaders.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received the Turkish minister upon his arrival at Erbil International Airport.
Cavusoglu is expected to meet with KRG officials and discuss issues of bilateral importance, according to Iraqi media.
Cavusoglu earlier held talks with Iraqi officials in Baghdad and Basra, including Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi.
According to a read out from Abdul-Mahdi’s office, the Iraqi PM told Cavusoglu Baghdad wants to build “perfect and balanced cooperative ties with all neighboring countries [which] focus on the commonalities”.
“Turkey is a dear neighbor and an important country in the region, and we have outstanding relations, many commonalities, economic interests, security cases, water, commerce, border, and fighting terrorists,” Abdul-Mahdi said.
The Iraqi PM added he hopes to see more Turkish business investment in Iraq, particularly in industry, railways, agriculture, and construction.
He also called for agreements on water, oil, and security, and an end the presence of Turkish forces in Bashiqa.
Turkey and Iraq have emphasized the significance of strengthening border control and trade ties.
“We focused on increased trade volume with Turkey,” said Iraqi’s Foreign Minister Mohamad al-Hakim at a press conference with Turkish counterpart.
Cavusoglu again reiterated, “we have plan to open a consulate in Basra, one in Kirkuk and one in Najaf,” in addition to reopening their consulate in Mosul.
Cavusoglu said Turkey and Turkish companies “are keen to taking part in the reconstruction of Iraq and that Turkey has been the best helping side for Iraq.” Ankara has offered $5 billion in credit for Turkish companies rebuilding in Iraq.
Ankara and Baghdad have been at loggerheads over water as Turkey has threatened to stop its flow from the Tigris River into Iraq in order to fill its Ilisu Dam.
“Last year, there was a huge water crisis and problem. But this year was the year of compassion and blessings. This year we instead have the problem of flooding,” he said.
Copyright © 2019, respective author or news agency, Ekurd.net | rudaw.net | Agencies
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