Turkish foreign minister meets Iraqi president during Baghdad visit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid during his official visit to Baghdad. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, regional security, and water sharing policies between the two neighboring countries.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid on Sunday as part of his official diplomatic visit to Baghdad. The meeting, held at the Baghdad Palace and attended by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and addressing regional security challenges.

Comprehensive Diplomatic Engagement

During his visit, Fidan conducted separate meetings with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani and President of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zaidan. The Turkish minister's extensive engagement schedule also included discussions with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Muhammad Saeed Riza Al-Abbas, Falih Alfayyadh, Chairperson of al-Hashd al-Shaabi, and Mehmet Seman Agaoglu, head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front.

Water Rights and Regional Cooperation

President Rashid emphasized Iraq's commitment to regional partnerships while calling for "adopting a fair water-sharing policy that guarantees Iraq's acquired rights in the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers." The Iraqi leader stressed the importance of improved water management practices to reduce waste and achieve sustainability, highlighting water distribution as a crucial aspect of bilateral relations between the neighboring nations.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Minister Fidan expressed Türkiye's strong interest in expanding cooperation across multiple sectors and developing new opportunities for joint collaboration. Both officials discussed regional developments and ongoing efforts to enhance security and stability, with President Rashid reaffirming Iraq's "open-door policy" and commitment to building partnerships based on sovereignty respect and common interests.