Turkey
will take all the necessary steps to ensure peace in the region, Daily sabah
quoted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying on Wednesday.
Speaking after
talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, Erdogan said that Turkey has
never changed its stance on Iraq and developments in the country.
"From the
beginning we have always expressed that we supported territorial integrity in
Iraq, and we will continue [to do so]... We did not get a positive response to
warnings [regarding the KRG independence referendum], so we decided to impose
sanctions," Erdogan said.
Erdogan also
praised the Iraqi central government for almost driving ISIS completely out of
the country despite early blows dealt by the terrorist group, adding that
another terrorist group – the PKK – knows this is an opportunity for them.
"We know of
the PKK's presence in areas such as Sinjar and Qandil. Turkey is in for the
fight against this group in solidarity with Iraq," the president said.
He expressed
belief that Iraq "will rise from its ashes," ensuring Abadi that
Turkey will provide the support Iraq needs.
Erdogan added
that Turkey was ready to act to ensure regional stability and prosperity.
"We,
unfortunately, are a part of a troublesome geography. It is now the time to
overcome these troubles. We will take the necessary steps for achieving peace
in the region," Erdogan said.
Meanwhile, Abadi
said that the parties discussed a project that could possibly help
stabilization in the region.
"We care
about the continuity of bilateral relations [between Iraq and Turkey]. We do
not want any country to intervene in our personal interests. We must be a
source of hope for our young people. We have to win over our young people, who
make up 60 percent of our region, by offering job opportunities to them,"
Abadi said.
Abadi also met
with Prime Minister Binali Yildirim at the Cankaya Prime Ministerial Office
later in the day. In a joint press conference, Yildirim said that the common
aim is to work to prevent terror groups from arising in territories of Turkey,
Iraq and Syria.
Yildirim said
that Turkey will provide necessary aid to central Iraqi government to regain
the control of Habur border gate, the main passage between Turkey and Iraq
currently controlled by the KRG.
"We desire
to work more closer with Iraq from now on to increase mutual investment, with
trade volume being in the first place, and to reconstruct and increase the
welfare of the both countries," Y?ld?r?m said, noting that the two leaders
have agreed to hold a joint cabinet meeting in Turkey.
On Sept. 25, the
KRG voted on whether or not to declare independence from the Iraqi state. Almost
93 percent of those who cast ballots voted in favor of independence.
No Comments