Davutoğlu invites Masoud Barzani to Turkey

ANKARA

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu (L) answers a question during a joint press conference with KRG President Masoud Barzani following their meeting in the Iraqi Kurdish capital of Arbil, Nov. 21, 2014. AFP Photo

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu extended late Nov. 26 an invitation to Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani to visit Turkey.

Davutoğlu spoke on the phone with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Barzani separately late Nov. 26 about the security situation in Kirkuk.

The prime minister reiterated to Barzani that Turkey was ready to lend “all kinds of support” for Iraq’s stability, according to diplomatic sources.

Speaking with al-Abadi, Davutoğlu discussed security in Kirkuk and preparations for an upcoming High-Level Strategic Cooperation Meeting.

Meanwhile, Turkey and Iraq have reiterated their support for each other in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during separate phone conversations between Foreign Minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu, KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafari.

Çavuşoğlu pledged support to the Iraqi people in their fight against ISIL, including aiding the Iraqi security forces with training and equipment, according to diplomatic sources.