Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) President Hasan Turan stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Iraq on April 22 was “historic” in terms of timing.
Commenting on President Erdoğan’s visit to Iraq to AA informant, Turan stated that the visit was a new turning point in the relations between Turkey and Iraq.
Reminding that President Erdoğan last visited Iraq in 2011, Turan pointed out that the equations in the Middle East have changed in many areas, especially politics, in the intervening 13 years.
Emphasizing that the visit, which took place at a time when regional crises such as the Iran-Israel tension, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, and the conflicts in Lebanon and Yemen were experienced, was extremely meaningful, Turan said, “Turkey and President Erdoğan play an important guiding role in the current complex political and security equation in the region.” We believe it will happen.” he said.
– A HISTORICAL OPPORTUNITY IS RISING IN Türkiye-IRAQ ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Reminding that there was an important economic cooperation between the two countries with the Kirkuk-Yumurtalık Oil Pipeline project, which was last carried out in the 70s, Turan said that today, the Development Road Project is similar to this opportunity.
Pointing out that this project is of great importance in terms of opening the Iraqi economy to the world, Turan stated that he believes that the project will have positive reflections on the relations between the two countries.
– PROGRESS WILL BE MADE IN THE SECURITY FILE TOGETHER WITH THE DEVELOPMENT PATH PROJECT.
Stating that Turkey-Iraq cooperation and the Development Path Project will have a positive impact on the security files between both countries, Turan emphasized that the project will also end the activities of the terrorist organization PKK in Iraq.
Turan said, “Iraq, whose only income is oil, will also provide income from alternative sources thanks to the Development Road Project. The Development Road Project is of great importance for Iraq as well as for Turkey. We believe that with the implementation of the project, the PKK’s presence in the region will be put to an end.” made his assessment.
Stating that the terrorist organization PKK has now begun to emerge in almost every part of Iraq, Turan continued as follows:
“PKK has now started to operate not only in Qandil, but in all Iraqi provinces. The terrorist organization, which started to show its presence in Sinjar, Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk, is carrying out assassinations. The terrorist organization, which carried out assassinations against Turkmen officials, was later targeted by the Chairman of the Great Turkmen Bayat Tribe, Hüseyin Alloş, in Kifri district. “The PKK has now started to open offices under the name of non-governmental organizations in both Baghdad and Kirkuk.”
– IRAQI PRIME MINISTER SUDANI WANTS GOOD RELATIONS WITH Türkiye
Stating that with this visit, it was once again confirmed that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani wants to establish good relations with Turkey, Turan said that Sudani is serious about establishing relations with all the countries in the region, especially Turkey.
Stating that President Erdoğan’s visit to Iraq marked the visit with 26 cooperation agreements signed between the two countries in various fields such as security, economy, trade and education, Turan expressed their hope that these agreements will come into force as soon as possible.
– WE RECOMMEND JOINT MANAGEMENT IN KIRKUK
ITC President Turan stated that the Kirkuk local government issue is still not resolved and that, as Turkmens, they are in favor of a fair and inclusive solution.
Turan stated that they are open to all opinions and suggestions for the local government in Kirkuk and that President Erdoğan’s opinions and recommendations on this issue are important to them.
Stating that they are insistent on the establishment of a local administration in Kirkuk that is fair and represents all parties, Turan reminded that the Turkmens proposed a joint administration and rotating governor system.
– Türkiye CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOLUTION OF THE BAGHDAD-ERBIL PROBLEM
Emphasizing the importance of President Erdoğan’s visit to Erbil, Turan stated that they believe that Turkey will make a significant contribution to reducing the tension and solving the problems between the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and Baghdad.
Reminding that one of the biggest problems of Erbil-Baghdad relations is oil exports, Turan emphasized that Ankara’s involvement in the solution of this problem will have positive repercussions, considering that oil exports are made through Turkey.
