Turkey and Iraq deepen ties with landmark agreements and regional dialogue

ANKARA / BAGHDAD — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Ankara this week, where the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and signed ten cooperation agreements spanning defense, education, infrastructure, and security.

In a joint press conference following the talks, al-Sudani emphasized the deep historical, religious, and cultural ties between the two nations. “Our ties are rooted in shared history and mutual interests,” he stated, highlighting Iraq’s readiness to expand collaboration with Turkey.

Security was a focal point of the discussions. Al-Sudani reiterated Iraq’s firm stance against allowing its territory to be used in the ongoing conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK), which Ankara designates as a terrorist organization. He expressed support for diplomatic efforts aimed at the disarmament and dissolution of the group.

The leaders also celebrated progress on the $17 billion Development Road project, a proposed corridor linking southern Iraq to Turkey through a modern network of highways and railroads. The initiative is expected to bolster trade and regional connectivity across the Middle East.

The ten memorandums of understanding signed during the visit encompass a range of areas, including defense industry cooperation, educational exchange programs, disaster management, and security training. Notably, one agreement establishes a framework for the voluntary repatriation of Iraqi citizens currently residing in Turkey.

Regionally, Erdoğan and al-Sudani addressed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the war in Syria. Both leaders condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza, calling for the immediate entry of humanitarian aid. On Syria, they reaffirmed their support for a political solution, emphasizing the principles of sovereignty, territorial unity, and non-interference.