“The Development Road Project will significantly contribute to the stability and prosperity of both Iraq and our entire region”
Holding a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Al Sudani, President Erdoğan said: “The Development Road Project will significantly contribute to the stability and prosperity of both Iraq and our entire region. We invite countries that are interested in the Development Road to become part of this strategic project.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani of Iraq held a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Complex.
President Erdoğan said: “With my treasured brother, we reviewed the Türkiye-Iraq relations thoroughly. We exchanged views on regional developments, including Syria. We, in your presence, signed documents that will elevate our relations.”
“WE HAVE NEVER VIEWED IRAQ’S PEACE AND STABILITY AS SEPARATE FROM OUR OWN”
President Erdoğan stated: “We don’t see our relations with Iraq, with which we enjoy long-standing historical, social and cultural ties, solely as a relationship between two states. We consider expanding our cooperation in every area a necessity of our brotherly bonds. We have never viewed Iraq’s peace and stability as separate from our own. During our meeting, we focused particularly on cooperation in security and war on terror. We reaffirmed our determination to maintain the fight against the PKK, FETO, and DAESH, which pose a threat to the national security of both Türkiye and Iraq. We underlined that there is no place for terror in the future of the region.”
“WE ARE PLEASED TO WITNESS THAT IRAQ MAKES CRITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGIONAL STABILITY”
Noting that the bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and Iraq neared $18 billion las year, President Erdoğan went on: “Yet, we continue our efforts with the awareness that our potential is way bigger. The Development Road Project will significantly contribute to the stability and prosperity of both Iraq and our entire region. During our meeting, we discussed steps to implement the project rapidly. We invite countries that are interested in the Development Road to become part of this strategic project. We are focused on developing joint projects with Iraq through the cooperation mechanisms we established and the water framework agreement we signed last year. We want to make swift progress on topics such as oil shipment via the Iraq-Türkiye oil pipeline. We particularly hope to expand our deepening cooperation on electricity into other fields of energy, including natural gas. With Mr. Prime Minister, we also discussed the additional steps we can potentially take concerning our cooperation in other areas like banking, industry, education and higher education.”
President Erdoğan further stressed: “We are pleased to witness that Iraq makes critical contributions to regional stability through Mr. Al Sudani’s foresighted approach. I believe that Iraq cultivating good-neighborly relations with Syria is very important to our region’s stability and peace. We will continue our collaboration with Iraq to this end.”
“THE RISK OF FAMINE IN GAZA HAS REACHED SUCH GRAVE PROPORTIONS AS TO RESULT IN MASS CASUALTIES”
“The consequences of the aggressive policy Israel started in Gaza and later extended to Lebanon and Syria are evident. Israel assumes it can ensure its own security by engulfing the region into bloodshed, suffering, and instability. We will see it more clearly over time that this is just a pipe dream. Since Israel completely blocks the entry of humanitarian aid, the risk of famine in Gaza has reached such grave proportions as to result in mass casualties. We agreed with my dear brother to do our utmost, including stepping up pressure on Israel,” President Erdoğan said.
“PAKISTAN’S PROPOSAL FOR AN INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE DESPICABLE TERROR ATTACK IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR IS IMPORTANT”
President Erdoğan noted: “We are concerned that the tension between Pakistan and India would escalate into a hot conflict, with missile attacks resulting in many civilian casualties. I offer my condolences to the brotherly people and state of Pakistan for our brothers and sisters killed in the attacks. I had an important phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan yesterday. Pakistan’s proposal for an international investigation into the despicable terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir is important. We are making efforts to open dialogue channels and alleviate tensions before the situation reaches a point of no return, despite the fact that some are adding fuel to the fire.”
“I APPRECIATE MY BROTHER AL SUDANI’S SENSITIVITY ABOUT THE PRESERVATION OF IRAQI TURKMEN’S RIGHTS AND INTERESTS”
“Turkmens, the defenders of Iraq’s unity and integrity, continue to contribute to the strengthening of both Iraq and the Iraq-Türkiye relations. I appreciate my brother Al Sudani’s sensitivity about the preservation of Iraqi Turkmen’s rights and interests. I find it particularly meaningful that he included my brother, the Head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, in his delegation. May Allah render the Türkiye-Iraq brotherhood eternal and stronger,” President Erdoğan added.
