Ankara: Trkiye and Iraq have formalized a significant partnership by signing 11 agreements covering sectors such as information and communication technologies, the defense industry, and higher education. This development followed a series of meetings between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammed Shia al-Sudani.
According to Anadolu Agency, a key agreement on standard implementation procedures for the voluntary return and reintegration of Iraqi nationals was reached between Trkiye's Directorate General of Combating Irregular Migration and Removal Affairs and Iraq's Migration Affairs Department. This was part of a broader initiative to address migration issues. Additionally, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on training cooperation was signed between the interior ministries of both countries, further supported by another MoU between Trkiye's Gendarmerie General Command and the Iraqi Interior Ministry.
Trkiye and Iraq also committed to combating the illicit trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances through a new agreement. In the area of disaster and emergency management, Trkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) partnered with Iraq's National Center for Crisis and Disaster Management by signing an MoU.
The expansion of a 2009 agreement in information and communication technologies was achieved through an additional protocol signed by officials from Trkiye's Transport and Infrastructure Ministry and Iraq's Communications Ministry. In the defense sector, AYDA International Integrated Defense Systems and Iraq's Al Zaman group for General Trading Contracting and Shipbuilding L.L.C. solidified their collaboration with a new MoU.
In higher education, Trkiye's Council of Higher Education and Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research agreed to establish Turkish university branches and educational programs in Iraq. Meanwhile, Trkiye's Industry and Technology Ministry and Iraq's Ministry of Planning entered into a cooperation agreement in the field of metrology.
The defense industry saw further collaboration with an MoU for indigenization signed between Trkiye's National Defense Ministry and the Iraq Military Industry Commission. Lastly, the justice ministries of both countries committed to strengthening legal cooperation through a newly signed MoU.