Davutoğlu Vows To Provide All Kinds Of Support For KRG's Security

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu vowed to take “every form of support,” including military training for peshmerga forces, for the security of Iraqi Kurds, calling their security a “vital matter” for Turkey.

“We discussed the training issue as well,” Davutoğlu said at a joint news conference with Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Arbil. “Our support in the area of security, including this [training], will continue at an increased pace,” he said.

Davutoğlu's remarks came after KRG spokesman Safeen Dizayee was quoted as saying in the Turkish media on Thursday that Turkey and the KRG have agreed on Turkish military training for the Kurdish peshmerga forces.

The Turkish prime minister said the security and stability of Iraq, particularly of the KRG, was a “vital matter” that directly concerns Turkish security. “Turkey will provide every [kind of] support for the security of the KRG. This is a historical, humanitarian and strategic matter for us.”

He traveled to Arbil after talks in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday. Abadi said Iraq and Turkey have agreed on closer security and intelligence cooperation in the face of the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Turkey, criticized in the West for not supporting efforts of a US-led coalition against ISIL, allowed a small contingent of Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga fighters to pass through its territory and reinforce Syrian Kurds in Kobani, which Davutoğlu said illustrated the "relationship of trust" between the KRG and Ankara.

Barzani said for his part that he was prepared to send more peshmerga to Kobani, depending on the situation on the ground.

[ARABAŞLIK] MİT head in Turkish delegation raises curiosity

At the joint news conference with Barzani, Davutoğlu was asked if Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT) head Hakan Fidan was in his delegation for a specific reason.

Davutoğlu responded by saying that Fidan's participation in the Turkish delegation was “quite natural” because “intelligence is an essential element when issues of security are concerned.”

“He [Fidan] has had meetings in both Baghdad and Arbil and reported on these meetings to us. Such contacts will continue in the future as well,” Davutoğlu said.

In the meantime, Turkey and Iraq agreed on Thursday to closely cooperate on security and intelligence issues as part of joint efforts to combat ISIL.

Davutoğlu said on Thursday that all terrorist threats against Iraq are a threat to Turkey as well. When visiting Turkey early this month, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said his government is against foreign troops on Iraqi soil but is ready to accept other means of assistance to defeat ISIL and welcomed Turkey's support. “I hope Turkey will continue to support Iraq,” he added. Turkey has expressed that it is ready to train and equip members of the Iraqi military and police force.

Davutoğlu's visit to Iraq is expected to lead to a fresh start with a new unity government in the country.

Turkey's relations with Iraq had been on the backburner for a long time despite diplomatic efforts. Turkey's independent energy ties with the KRG had angered Baghdad, but Ankara previously said the new prime minister in Iraq boosted its hopes and that it was ready to improve ties.

It has been three years since a Turkish prime minister last paid a visit to Baghdad. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who has been accused of favoring Shiites over Kurds and Sunnis for government positions, resigned in August. Following his resignation, a new unity government was formed on Sept. 8, under Abadi.

Abadi and top Iraqi officials are expected to visit Ankara in a short while to join a meeting of the Turkey-Iraq High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which is considered a significant step to improve ties. (Cihan/Today's Zaman)

SHOTLIST
IRAQ, IRBIL, 21 NOV 2014

Davutoğlu and Barzani comes to the press conference room
VAR of Barzani's statements
VAR of Davutoğlu's statements
Press members
Question asking press members

DURATION: 07:22