Iraqi FM says ready for cooperation with Turkey to shape region

Zebari addressed the opening ceremony of the meeting of Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council held in Istanbul.

Thursday, 17 September 2009 13:15




Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Thursday his country was eager to cooperate with Turkey to shape the future of the region.

Zebari addressed the opening ceremony of the meeting of Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council held in Istanbul.

Zebari thanked Turkish government for its support and assistance after attacks in Iraq and for its help in treating hundreds of people injured in these attacks.

Zebari said a strong will emerged to further cooperation between Turkey and Iraq, adding that peace and stability in the region was of high importance not only for Turkey and Iraq, but also for the entire region.

"We are desiring a cooperation that could shape the future of the region," he said.

Zebari described possible cooperation areas between the two countries as security, oil, natural gas, water and health.

He also reaffirmed Iraqi government's determination to continue efforts to make real this willingness.


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Turkey, Iraq working on most comprehensive economic integration

Turkish FM Davutoglu said that Turkey desired to achieve a comprehensive economic integration with Iraq.

Thursday, 17 September 2009 11:58



Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Thursday that Turkey desired to achieve a comprehensive economic integration with Iraq.

The first ministerial meeting of the "Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council" started at the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul.

Speaking at the meeting, Davutoglu said that Turkish and Iraqi governments decided to plan their countries' future according to a model partnership framework.

"This will be an important milestone in our bilateral relations and the first example of a new understanding for a model partnership. With this initiative, various ministers of Turkey and Iraq will come together for the first time to implement joint projects," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu said that the council comprised of foreign, interior, foreign trade, public works and housing, energy, health, agriculture and environment ministers of Turkey and Iraq.

"Our aim is to provide the most comprehensive economic integration between our countries as it was also emphasized in the high level strategic cooperation agreements signed by our prime ministers last year," Davutoglu said.

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Davutoglu says Turkey can not be indifference to Iraqi issues

If there is a problem in Iraq, it would be difficult for Turkey to stay away from such a problem, Davutoglu also said.

Thursday, 17 September 2009 12:55



Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Thursday once the process between Turkey and Iraq spreads to the region, the Middle East will no longer be a site of crisis, problems and clashes, but will become a center of great civilization with joint economic sphere, common interests and joint political dialogue as well as security mechanism.

Speaking at the inauguration of the first ministerial meeting of the Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Istanbul, Davutoglu said that once this great and crucial project is realized, the peoples of the region who have lived together for centuries will be able to get together in an economic basin.

We will discuss extremely strategic issues on Thursday, including security, energy, commerce, agriculture, health and public works, Davutoglu said.

Iraq is a brotherly country for Turkey. Iraq's stability is the stability of Turkey. Iraq's welfare is the welfare of Turkey. And, Iraq's security is the security of Turkey, Davutoglu stressed.

If there is a problem in Iraq, it would be difficult for Turkey to stay away from such a problem, Davutoglu also said.

The ministerial meeting continues behind closed doors.

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Turkey, Iraq to sign deals on agriculture

The agreement are expected to be signed at a later date in Baghdad.



Thursday, 17 September 2009 14:57


Turkish Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker met Thursday with his Iraqi counterpart Akram al-Hakim as part of a ministerial meeting of the Turkey-Iraq Strategic Cooperation Council in Istanbul.

Eker and al-Hakim discussed issues such as water resources, irrigation and stockbreeding as the Iraqi minister conveyed his country's willingness to cooperate on the water problem as well as animal diseases and counter measures against drought.

The two ministers also decided during their meeting to sign agreements on agricultural technology, crop protection and animal health.

The agreement are expected to be signed at a later date in Baghdad.


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