Iraqi PM to visit Ankara in May for strategic talks, economic cooperation
Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (R) and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands after a joint statement to the media in Baghdad on April 22, 2024. (AFP Photo)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is set to visit Ankara in early May to attend the fourth meeting of the Türkiye-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
The visit is expected to focus on strengthening economic and investment ties, as well as expanding cooperation on regional security.
The diplomatic engagement comes amid Türkiye’s accelerated efforts to achieve a “Türkiye Without Terror,” with significant developments unfolding on the security front.
The upcoming talks are anticipated to address ongoing efforts in the disarmament and dissolution process of the PKK terrorist organization, including recent calls made by PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan for a cessation of armed activity.
Ankara welcomed Baghdad’s move last year to officially designate the PKK as a “banned organization.” Turkish officials note that the Iraqi government is also closely monitoring the outcomes of Ocalan’s call for disarmament.
The meeting is expected to review potential next steps following the anticipated fulfillment of that call and identify new bilateral measures to enhance security cooperation.
Among the agenda items will be the formation of a joint committee to address challenges related to camps such as al-Hol and Roj in Syria. The talks will also cover proposed plans for establishing a Joint Operations Center under the framework of the “Quintet Mechanism”—a regional initiative involving Syria and neighboring countries to combat terrorism more effectively.
Al-Sudani’s visit is also intended to deepen economic collaboration and elevate investment relations between Türkiye and Iraq to new levels.
