The key facts

  • The vote of confidence in the Council of Representatives of Iraq took place on October 15; Turkey's Foreign Ministry welcomed the new cabinet appointments on October 16
  • Ankara expects accelerated cooperation on the Development Road project, in energy, water, infrastructure and security
  • Mehmet Seman Agaoglu, governor of Kirkuk and head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, was appointed minister of state

Ankara positively assessed the renewal of the Iraqi government

Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Friday, October 16, officially welcomed the new appointments to the cabinet of ministers of Iraq that followed the vote of confidence held on October 15 in the Council of Representatives of Iraq. The ministry's statement said that Ankara wishes success to the government led by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.

Expectations for bilateral cooperation

The ministry expressed confidence that the renewal of the cabinet will accelerate bilateral cooperation, in particular on the Development Road Project, as well as in the spheres of energy, water resources, infrastructure and security. Turkey also stated its intention to deepen cooperation with Iraq in all areas.

Appointment of a representative of the Turkmen community

Separately, Ankara welcomed the appointment of Mehmet Seman Agaoglu — governor of Kirkuk and chairman of the Iraqi Turkmen Front — as minister of state in the new cabinet. The Foreign Ministry's statement called this 'a step in the right direction' toward political stability, social cohesion and fair representation of the Turkmen community.