Iraq and Türkiye Deepen Strategic Partnership in Ankara Summit

Iraq 07:28 PM - 2025-05-08

The Iraqi, Turkish leaders’ meeting in Ankara.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, currently on an official visit to Ankara, joined Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a joint statement highlighting Iraq’s key role in promoting regional stability. The Turkish President expressed his country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Iraq and called on all nations to participate in the broader development process.

“Our relations with Iraq have gained remarkable momentum since my visit to Baghdad last year,” Erdoğan stated. He highlighted that bilateral trade reached $18 billion in the past year.

The Turkish President also expressed his desire for enhanced collaboration with Iraq across various sectors, particularly energy. He acknowledged the Iraqi Prime Minister’s leadership, commending Iraq’s growing influence in ensuring regional stability.

Erdoğan further encouraged all nations to contribute to what he referred to as the “nerve fibres” of the development process, noting Iraq’s cooperative stance with Syria as an important element in regional stability.

High-Level Strategic Talks in Ankara

Prime Minister al-Sudani arrived in Ankara on the morning of Thursday, 8 May 2025, for an official visit. He was received with full honours at the Presidential Palace, where the Turkish President warmly welcomed him. The ceremony featured the national anthems of both countries and a guard of honour.

Following the reception, the fourth session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Iraq and Türkiye commenced in Ankara, co-chaired by the two leaders.

During their bilateral discussions, the Prime Minister and the President reviewed the state of Iraq–Türkiye relations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to implementing the agreements signed in April 2024.

According to a statement from al-Sudani’s office, there was a “mutual affirmation of ongoing joint efforts to strengthen cooperation.” Al-Sudani emphasised both sides’ dedication to fulfilling the objectives set out in the strategic framework agreements, aimed at tackling shared challenges.

He also highlighted the value of transparent and constructive security cooperation, particularly in areas such as counter-terrorism, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of the Development Road Project in fostering economic integration at both regional and global levels. He noted its potential to facilitate growth in industrial and agricultural sectors, increase trade, and deepen collaboration between private sectors, as well as in higher education, research, and culture.

Shared Positions on Regional Developments

The discussions extended to wider regional issues, including a condemnation of the continued aggression in Gaza. Both leaders expressed alignment in their stance, calling for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid and the full withdrawal of occupying forces.

Regarding Syria, there was a united call to support political stability and the sovereignty of the Syrian state. The two sides emphasised non-interference in internal affairs and the importance of safeguarding the country’s pluralistic and diverse society.

Signing of Key Agreements

Both leaders also oversaw the signing of several memoranda of understanding across a range of sectors:

1.Defence industry cooperation and exchange of expertise
2.Procedures for the voluntary repatriation of Iraqi nationals from Türkiye
3.Draft agreement on judicial cooperation
4.Combatting illicit drug trafficking
5.Opening of Turkish university branches in Baghdad and Basra
6.Emergency and disaster management
7.Digital public relations cooperation
8.Measurement and calibration standards
9.Two agreements on training collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Interior



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