High-Stakes Security Dialogues: Turkey and Iraq Strengthen Cooperation

Senior Turkish and Iraqi officials are set to hold high-level talks in Ankara focused on enhancing security cooperation. Relations have improved since Turkish President Erdogan's visit to Baghdad, which led to several agreements. The discussions aim to institutionalize cooperation and continue counter-terrorism efforts against the PKK insurgency.

Senior Turkish and Iraqi officials are slated for high-level discussions in Ankara on Thursday, focusing on advancing cooperation on security issues, according to a Turkish diplomatic source.

Relations between the neighboring countries have been strained over Turkey's cross-border military operations against PKK militants in northern Iraq. However, ties have seen improvement since a visit by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to Baghdad in April.

This upcoming dialogue will be the first meeting of a 'Joint Planning Group' led by respective foreign ministers and aims to place their cooperation within a structured and sustainable framework, discussing the implementation of 27 agreements and potential new initiatives.

(With inputs from agencies.)