Iraqi President Meets Turkey's Defense Minister: Vital to Alleviate Tensions in the Region, and Sovereignty of Each State Must be Respected, and Interventions in Internal Affairs or Aggressions against Any State Should be Rejected

On Monday, January 18, 2021, President of the Republic of Iraq, Barham Salih, met with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. The meeting took place at the Baghdad Palace.
During the meeting, Iraqi-Turkish relations were discussed. Discussion has been focused on the best way to develop further prospects for cooperation at every level, and this should be done in the line with the mutual benefit and common interest of the two friendly nations and peoples.
Participants in the meeting agreed how important it was to respect Iraq's sovereignty, while highlighting the role played by Iraqi Armed Forces to protect the security of the Iraqis and homeland as well. Iraq's territories will not be a staging post for any hostile action against any of its neighbors, was also emphasized in the meeting.
Recent developments related- international and regional matters and issues of common concern were also discussed.
President Salih spoke of the need to calm the tensions in the region, and pending issues must be resolved through constructive dialogue. There regional cooperation and coordination should be promoted, he said, while the ongoing fight against terror must be continued. Sovereignty of each state must be respected, and interventions in internal affairs or aggressions against any State should be rejected, to bring about peace, security and stability, he added, this includes work towards achieving sustainable social and economic development.
The Turkish Defense Minister, in turn, confirmed his country's support to Iraq's sovereignty and its stability, and said that Turkey remains committed to enhancing collaboration and coordination with Iraq. Tensions in the region needed to be calmed through using dialogue, he added.

 

Presedent