Iraqi prime minister to visit Turkey on Wednesday

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA (AA) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi will arrive on Oct. 25 in the capital Ankara, where he would meet his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim at Cankaya Palace, a prime ministry official said on Monday.

The premiers would likely to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in order to contribute to regional peace, stability and safety, the official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media, told Anadolu Agency.

Another topic in the agenda would be the progress after Erbil-based Kurdish regional government’s (KRG) illegitimate referendum and the steps that can be taken mutually in this regard, the official added.

On Sept. 25, KRG-controlled-held areas -- and several disputed parts of the country -- voted on whether or not to declare independence from the Iraqi state.

According to poll results announced by the KRG, almost 93 percent of those who cast ballots voted in favor of independence.

The illegitimate referendum faced sharp opposition from most regional and international actors (including the U.S., Turkey and Iran), who warned that the poll would distract from Iraq’s fight against terrorism and further destabilize the region.