Istanbul / NINA / - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of work on the "Development Road" project extending from Basra to Turkey, which he described as a "new Silk Road".

Erdogan said in a press conference held today with Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani in the Turkish capital, Ankara: We have affirmed our determination to work together to complete the development road project aimed at building a land transport corridor and a railway extending from Basra to the Turkish border.

He added: We have taken a serious step that shows our will to work together to achieve this goal, through the Ankara Declaration, which we agreed on. The path of development is not only an important strategic project for Turkey and Iraq, but for the entire region.

Erdogan indicated that he had assigned the concerned ministers to work on realizing the development road project, and that millions of people in large areas from Europe to the Gulf would benefit from the added value that would appear with the construction of this road.

In his joint press conference, the Turkish President said: This project will enhance regional cooperation, develop our trade and strengthen our human relations. We are aware that other sister countries are also interested in this project. I am confident that with their participation, we will be able to transform the development road project into the new Silk Road for our region."

Erdogan stressed Turkey's keenness, as well as Iraq, to increase bilateral trade, pointing to the exchange of views between the two sides during today's talks on resolving the problems facing the businessmen.

Erdogan said: "I would like to express my thanks again to the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government for their solidarity with us in facing the earthquake disaster, and I consider this visit as evidence of the Iraqi people's friendship to us." Turkey has proven on every occasion that it is a true friend of the Iraqi people and that Turkey is the greatest defender of Iraq's political unity and territorial integrity.

The Turkish President stressed that the state, through its solidarity with the people and with the support of friends and brothers, will be able to heal the wounds of the earthquake and erase the effects of this disaster in a short time.

Erdogan indicated that he discussed with Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani bilateral relations in all its aspects and at all levels, and affirmed the joint determination to comprehensively combat terrorism in all its forms, in addition to discussing regional issues also during the talks with the Iraqi side.

Erdogan indicated that he discussed with Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani Turkey's struggle against terrorist organizations such as "PKK", "ISIS" and "Fülen", and stressed that these organizations pose a threat to both countries.

The Turkish President said, "We expect our Iraqi brothers to characterize the PKK as a terrorist organization and to clear their land of this organization whose hands are stained with blood," stressing Turkey's readiness for all forms of cooperation with Iraq in terms of combating terrorism.

With regard to the issue of water, Erdogan stated that Turkey decided to increase the amount of water flowing from the Tigris River as much as possible for a period of one month in order to alleviate Iraq's distress in this area./ End




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