Statement from Iraq on 'Ankara-Damascus': 'Agreed in principle'

The Iraqi government is preparing to host a meeting in Baghdad to normalize relations between Turkey and Syria. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that this initiative aims to improve relations between the neighboring countries.

'AGREED IN PRINCIPLE'

Speaking to journalists in Washington, Hussein said, "Relations between Turkey and Syria are complex, but there are still contacts between the two countries through Iraq. Iraq has an initiative to bring the two sides together in Baghdad. Contacts are ongoing between Iraq, Turkey, and Syria at the leadership level."

Hussein noted that a meeting had been held with the foreign ministers of both countries and that they had agreed in principle to meet in Baghdad, though a date has not yet been set, adding, "When I return, a date will be set."

Fadi al-Shammari, a political advisor to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, stated in an interview with Rudaw on Tuesday that Baghdad does not miss any opportunity to act as a mediator and that a rapprochement between Syria and Turkey is in Iraq's "direct" interest.

Al-Shammari said, "Baghdad benefits from taking on the role of mediator in many ways. These include increasing regional stability, which has positive reflections on Iraq's security and economic situation."

ERDOĞAN: 'WE WILL TAKE CONCRETE STEPS SOON'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared his views on normalization with the Bashar al-Assad administration in Syria while speaking to journalists on the plane returning from the NATO summit.

Erdoğan said, "I have given the task to Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. My Foreign Minister is currently meeting with his counterparts to determine the roadmap for this. We believe that a just peace is possible in Syria. We express at every opportunity that Syria's territorial integrity is also in our interest. I hope that we will take concrete steps in the near future."

News Source: 12punto