Baghdad and Ankara discuss facilitating procedures to grant entry visas and enhancing security cooperation

INA-  Baghdad

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Planning Affairs Hisham Al-Alawi and Undersecretary of the Turkish Interior Minister Tayyip Sabri Ardel discussed Tuesday ways to facilitate procedures for granting entry visas and to enhance security cooperation between the two countries, as well as joint international efforts to combat terrorism.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), stated that "The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Planning Affairs, Hisham Al-Alawi, met with the Turkish Undersecretary of the Interior, Tayyip Sabri Ardel, at the Turkish Ministry of Interior building in Ankara, in the presence of the Iraqi Ambassador Majid Al-Lajmawi, and the head of the consular department, Ahmed Amin and the head of the Department of Neighboring Countries, Muhammad Salman.

Al-Alawi stressed "the depth of the bilateral relations that bind Iraq and the Turkish Republic, and the many interests that unite the two friendly peoples," noting that "the new government is keen to establish the best relations with all neighboring countries, especially Turkey."

He added, "Today's relations between the countries of the world are based on activating common interests, facing common challenges, strengthening social ties between peoples, and working to ensure regional stability as a prelude to achieving development and economic integration in the two neighboring countries."

He referred to "some problems facing Iraqi citizens residing in the Republic of Turkey," calling on the Turkish side to "facilitate the procedures for granting entry visas to Iraqi citizens wishing to visit Turkey, and the procedures for renewing their residencies."

For his part, the Turkish Undersecretary of the Interior Minister stated that "one of the constants of our foreign policy is to back Iraq and stand by it and support it in many fields, and to contribute to the reconstruction of infrastructure in Iraqi cities, and the development of important vital sectors such as agriculture, industry and tourism," pledging to reconsider "the matter of facilitating procedures for granting entry visas and renewing residency permits to Iraqi citizens.