Turkish foreign minister meets Iraqi president, top officials during Baghdad visit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a series of high-level meetings in Baghdad on Sunday as part of his official visit to Iraq, focusing on bilateral cooperation and regional stability.

According to diplomatic sources, Fidan met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, and Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan. He also held talks with Defence Minister Thabet Muhammad Saeed Riza Al-Abbas, Falih Alfayyadh, head of the al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces), and Mehmet Seman Agaoglu, head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front.

A statement from the Iraqi presidency said President Rashid received Fidan and his delegation at the Baghdad Palace, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between Türkiye and Iraq in political, economic, and security fields, as well as on developments across the region.

Rashid reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to maintaining an open-door policy and promoting good-neighbourly relations, while emphasising respect for sovereignty and mutual interests as the foundation of its national policy. He also highlighted the need for a fair water-sharing arrangement on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, ensuring Iraq’s rights and improving joint water management to achieve sustainability.

Minister Fidan, for his part, underlined Türkiye’s commitment to deepening ties with Iraq and exploring new areas of cooperation. He said both countries share a strong interest in enhancing coordination and communication to support regional peace and development.

Fidan’s visit follows ongoing diplomatic engagement between Ankara and Baghdad on issues such as border security, counter terrorism, trade, and transboundary water management — all key areas in the two neighbours’ expanding partnership.

Copied