Turkish Defense Chief In Iraq On Official Visit

Turkey's top defense official, along with the country's chief of staff, arrived in the Iraqi capital as part of an official visit, the ministry announced Monday.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Gen. Yasar Guler are to meet senior Iraqi officials in Baghdad including President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Defense Minister Jouma Anad and Interior Minister Othman al-Ghanmi.

Combating terrorism is to be the main focus of discussions during the visit, as well as a joint cooperation between Turkey and Iraq, said the ministry statement.

As a first stop, Akar was welcomed with a military ceremony by his Iraqi counterpart with whom he later met one-on-one before the sides' delegations held discussions.

Speaking at the meeting, Akar praised the close relations between Turkey and Iraq and noted that the region was going through a "sensitive" period.

"We can overcome the difficulties in our region together [...] We respect Iraq's territorial integrity, sovereignty, well-being and prosperity," Akar said.

Turkey's top defense official further stressed his country's determination to protect its border security and expressed his country's readiness for all means of cooperation with Iraq, saying that this would be critical in fighting the PKK terrorist organization.

*Writing by Merve Aydogan -