Jaafari Meets Turkish Ambassador, Reaffirms The Need To Withdraw Turkey's Troops From Iraq

BAGHDAD / NINA / Iraq renewed the need for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from its territory and stop Turkish aircraft violation to Iraq airspace. A statement by the Foreign Ministry today said "Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari met Turkish Ambassador Fatih Yildiz and discussed with him the most prominent issues of concern to Baghdad and Ankara, and ways to strengthen relations between the two countries, and Iraqis efforts in the war against terrorism, and end the Turkish violation to Iraqi sovereignty. Jaafari reiterated, during the meeting, his confirmation to the need for the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Iraqi territory and not to penetrate Iraqi airspace by the Turkish aircraft. "We stick, at the same time, to the relations between Turkey and Iraq, and we look forward to develop them, and to cooperate in order to achieve the common objectives on the basis of brotherhood, trust, and the interests of the two peoples", praising Ankara's position of sheltering Iraqi displaced people, and the services provided to them. He said, "The visit of Prime Minister of Turkey to Iraq was good, but we have to follow the implementation of what was agreed upon during the visit," referring to the importance of holding the third meeting of the Supreme Strategic Council between the two countries because of its impact on the development of bilateral relations between Baghdad and Ankara. Jaafari confirmed "Iraq's readiness to security and intelligence cooperation," stressing that he "will not allow the presence of armed groups operating in neighboring countries and destabilize the security and stability of the region." He continued: "Iraq extended bridges of relations with various countries of the world on the basis of strengthening cooperation and activating common interests and work to intensify dialogues, and to overcome the obstacles facing the conduct of relations, and that the Iraqi forces and the heroes of the popular mobilization, the Peshmerga, and tribal fighters surprised the world in quick liberation to Iraq's land from the grip of terrorists of Daesh. " For his part, the Turkish ambassador, during the meeting, confirmed that "the Turkish government sought to repair relations between the two countries," adding that the visit of Turkish Prime Minister comes in this framework. He said they were working to implement the results of the visit, declaring that the Iraqi Minister of Water Resources will visit Turkey in the framework of strengthening cooperation between the two countries. He added, "The Turkish troops will not stay forever, and the goal of its existence is the integrity and security of Iraq," stressing that "Turkey is a real partner for Iraq, and they are working to support Iraq and to resolve the problems facing the region. He stressed his country's sticking to the bilateral relations with Iraq, expressing his country's appreciation of the progress made by Iraqi forces, and its support for Iraq in its war against the terrorist gangs of Daesh. / End