Turkey, Iraq finalizing historic memorandum on military, security cooperation

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that the defense ministers of Türkiye and Iraq signed a Memorandum of Understanding on security, military and counterterrorism cooperation, as he spoke at a joint news conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Ankara on Thursday.

Fidan hosted Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in the capital Ankara for a new round of critical talks, as the two neighbors aim to enhance security cooperation amid the threat of the PKK terrorist group.

Noting that Ankara and Baghdad aim to materialize the mutual understanding on counterterrorism efforts by taking concrete steps, Fidan said the two countries have been striving to boost contacts through political and technical talks.

The groundbreaking MoU envisages the establishment of permanent committees for cooperation in necessary fields, which would boost ties in the trade, energy, water, transportation and education sectors.

Fidan also said Türkiye welcomes Iraq's designation of the PKK terrorist group as a banned organization. He noted that Türkiye appreciates growing awareness about the PKK terrorist group in Iraq.

For his part, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hussein hailed the MoU as the first of its kind signed in the history of the two countries.

He said that the PKK is a banned organization and its activities in Iraq are not acceptable.