Mesut OzcanAbstract: After critical statements were exchanged between Turkish and Iraqi politicians over the last quarter of 2016, the New Year began with the visit of a Turkish delegation to Baghdad and Erbil led by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım. The tension between the two neighbors was eased through bureaucratic and political contact made prior to the visit. Security issues dominated the agenda, with particular reference to ISIL and PKK. The ‘Bashiqa Issue’ is not completely resolved but there is now better communication between the two neighbors in addressing one another’s concerns. The need to decrease tension and focus on problems in the region has pushed the two countries together, and this visit is a positive step given regional security challenges and the need for closer economic cooperation between Turkey and Iraq. Long-standing bilateral problems may not be overcome by this visit alone, but the channels of communication are now open to discuss them.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım visited Iraq on January 7-8, 2017, along with several ministers.[1] Prior to this visit, both Turkey and Iraq made positive statements in attempts to overcome their differences and to focus on bilateral cooperation. The visit took place in the wake of a phone conversation between Turkish President Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi on December 30.[2] Following this phone conversation, Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi stated that “we cannot accept the PKK using Iraqi soil to launch attacks against Turkey. Neither does our constitution allow such things.”[3] Hence, both sides worked to clear the ground in advance of the visit.