High-Stakes Security Dialogues: Turkey and Iraq Strengthen Cooperation

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.)