The key facts

  • Hakan Fidan called the vision of Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi 'very strong' for developing relations with Turkey
  • Discussions covered energy, the Development Road project, security, counterterrorism and Sinjar
  • Turkey handed over the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers chairmanship to Iraq after 18 months; the Palestinian question is on the agenda

Meeting in Baghdad on the sidelines of the OIC summit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks in Baghdad on Saturday with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on the sidelines of the 52nd session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). According to Fidan, al-Zaidi has a 'very strong vision' for developing relations with Turkey, and his positive, constructive influence is noticeable in Iraq's politics. Fidan also noted the prime minister's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and to practically solving the country's internal problems.

Topics of the bilateral agenda

As Fidan reported, discussions with Iraqi officials covered energy, transport connectivity, the Development Road project, cooperation in security and defense, the fight against terrorism and the situation in Sinjar. He confirmed Turkey's support for the constructive policy of the Iraqi government and stated that both sides share the goal of bringing relations to an 'unprecedented level.' Ankara, the minister added, is ready to help overcome difficulties related to recent history that have particularly affected Iraqi society. In his words, he hopes other problems of the region will be resolved 'through dialogue and peaceful means' in the near future.

OIC summit and handover of the chairmanship

Before the ministerial meeting began, Fidan held talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. He said that after 18 months Turkey handed over the rotating chairmanship of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers to Iraq. In Fidan's assessment, the session featured in-depth discussion of issues of utmost importance to the Islamic world, above all the Palestinian problem, as well as the common challenges facing the Islamic world.

Meetings with Iraq's leadership

Fidan also met with Iraqi President Nizar Amadi — it was their first in-person meeting since he took office; the minister conveyed congratulations and greetings from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. With Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, the internal political situation in Iraq and regional developments were discussed. Fidan held talks with the head of the 'Popular Mobilization Forces' Commission, Faleh al-Fayyad, whom he has known since his time in Turkish intelligence: the discussion covered the forces themselves, the regional situation, steps toward disarming certain armed groups in Iraq and bilateral security cooperation. Erdogan's greetings were also conveyed to parliament speaker Haibat al-Halbousi — parliamentary matters were discussed. With National Security Adviser Qasim al-Abbudi, they talked about security cooperation and its regional implications.

Role of the Turkmen community

Separately, Fidan met with Iraq's Minister of State, head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, Mehmet Seman Agaoglu, and congratulated him on his appointment. He noted that Turkey has long followed the problems of Iraq's Turkmen community, and their resolution requires progress on broader political and social issues of the country. 'They are loyal citizens of Iraq. They also quite consciously preserve their own identity, and that is exactly what we want,' the agency quotes the minister as saying. Fidan emphasized the constructive role of the Turkmens in Iraqi society and politics, called Turkey and Iraq 'brotherly countries,' 'continuations of one another' geographically, culturally and historically, and called for a more institutionalized structure of bilateral cooperation in the interests of both countries.