Turkey, Iraq launch new term with new partnership model in region

Turkish and Iraqi ministers held a series of meetings during Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Istanbul.

Saturday, 19 September 2009 01:09



World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday they lauched a new term with a new partnership model with Iraq in the region, behaving as one state, Turkish media said.

A press conference took place at the end of the first ministerial meeting of Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace, state-run news agency said.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Davutoglu said that a decision was taken to sign protocols on topics ranging from environment to health, agriculture to livestock production, free trade zones to establishing joint investment council, and oil to natural gas.

We believe we can establish a permanent and definite integration between Turkey and Iraq once the protocols and the legal infrastructure have been prepared, Davutoglu stressed.



New partnership model

A strong pivot will come into existence in Eurasia. We think that this is a crucial step in our bilateral relations (with Iraq). We believe that this is a step that could be considered a revolution not only in bilateral relations but also in the region. A new partnership model is being formed. A new culture of cooperation is being developed and if this partnership model and culture of cooperation spreads into the region, we plan to make our region an influential economic sphere just as it was in history, Davutoglu said.

At the end of his speech, Davutoglu thanked the ministers of the two countries (Turkey and Iraq) for their immense efforts in the past two days, Anadolu Agency said.

Foreign Minister of Iraq, Hoshyar Mahmud Zebari, in his part, said that they were extremely pleased with the first ministerial meeting of Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

We have agreed to carry the existing cooperation between two neighbors and brotherly countries (Turkey and Iraq) to the highest level possible, Zebari noted.



Water issue

Mutual intentions and requests were expressed in the meeting, Zebari said.

Turkey is a crucial country for Iraq as it ranks first in importance for us, Zebari said.

Cooperation between Turkey and Iraq will be sustained in all areas by holding meetings that carry high level strategic value, Zebari said.

We have discussed important matters, the issue of terror primarily. We discussed the issue of water. Iraq's need for water, at a time of drought, has reached peak levels. I would like to express my thanks to the government and people of Turkey. An agreement was reached whereby Turkey would send 550 cubic meters of water every second to Iraq. We will meet the expectations of our respective people by working hand in hand. The government of Iraq is doing all it can in this regard, Zebari also said.


More than 40 deals

Davutoglu said Friday Turkey and Iraq have decided to sign more than 40 agreements, memorandums of understanding and protocols.

We hope that these agreements, memorandum of understanding and protocol will be finalized in Baghdad during the inter-governmental meeting to be co-chaired by our respective prime ministers, Davutoglu also said.

He also said that they did not find the only border gate enough and Turkey wanted one or even two more.

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Turkey says targets more than 40 deals with Iraq

Turkish FM Davutoglu said Turkey and Iraq have decided to sign more than 40 agreements, memorandum of understanding and protocols.

Friday, 18 September 2009 21:14



Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday Turkey and Iraq have decided to sign more than 40 agreements, memorandum of understanding and protocol at the first ministerial meeting of Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

A press conference took place at the end of the first ministerial meeting at Istanbul's Ciragan Palace.

Speaking to reporters, Minister Davutoglu said that today was an historical day in Turkish-Iraqi relations and the region.

A new partnership model has been implemented today (Friday), Davutoglu stressed.

The agreement signed aims to implement the joint potential of the two countries after a while and does not limit relations to only economic cooperation, Davutoglu noted.

We brought together the first council of ministers yesterday and today. We held a meeting as a single government and I am very pleased to announce that, Davutoglu said.

At first, nine ministers from both countries held a joint meeting. Ideas were exchanged on joint goals. Later on, every ministry held separate meetings and had consultations on how joint projects could be realized, Davutoglu said.

We exchanged ideas on the topics to be handled during Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming trip to Iraq in October, Davutoglu said.

I am pleased to express that there is no topic on which we have disagreements (with Iraq). We have decided to sign over 40 agreements, memorandum of understanding and protocol. We hope that these agreements, memorandum of understanding and protocol will be finalized in Baghdad during the inter-governmental meeting to be co-chaired by our respective prime ministers, Davutoglu also said.

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