President, Receiving a Call from President Erdogan, Underscores the Need for International and Regional Cooperation

Speaking by Telephone with President Salih today, that was initiated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the two leaders considered the present situation in Iraq and the region and discussed the ways which would advance the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries.

Turkish President affirmed his eagerness for Iraq's stability, supporting its unity, protecting its sovereignty and independence, as well as preventing Iraq to be turned into a regional and international battleground for other countries to settle their scores. The importance of enabling of Iraqi's military national institution to play its role to advance Iraq's stability and security, he stressed.

President Salih, in turn, reviewed the recent political developments in the situation as he highlighted Iraq's eagerness to further cooperation and to promote bilateral ties with Turkey. He pointed out that Iraq appreciates the support provided by fraternal and neighboring states for its sovereignty, protecting its stability as well as preventing Iraq from being turned into a battleground for others states to settle their scores. Moreover, further escalation harms not only Iraq's interest and its future, but also undermines stability in the region at large.

His Excellency Salih reiterated the need for regional and international cooperation to solve the crisis in addition to build on common values for common interests.

The two Presidents agreed that the priority should remain on fighting extremism, terror as well as enhancing the region's stability and security through cooperation and understanding between its peoples and States.

Presedent