Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed his country's support for the steps taken by the Iraqi government headed by Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani in order to achieve security, stability and lasting prosperity in the country. Erdogan said in statements to reporters on board the presidential plane during his return from an official visit he made to Iraq yesterday, Monday, during which he attended the signing of a number of agreements between the two countries: Possible steps to be taken were discussed, especially with regard to issues such as combating terrorism, trade, transportation, energy, and the effects of climate change. Erdogan expressed to the Iraqi side that Turkey welcomed Baghdad's declaration of the PKK as a terrorist organization, and that this matter was at the core of Turkey's aspirations to end the presence of the terrorist organization in Iraq. He added: "The PKK/PYD/YPG organization threatens Iraq's stability, growth, and safety, and removing this threat is in Baghdad's interes t." He stressed Turkey's determination to end terrorism one way or another, saying: "We will never give way to those who work with terrorist organizations and use them as tools. It is necessary for Iraq's development vision and the security of international investments to fill the holes of terrorism." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that terrorism threatens Iraq's stability and development vision, and that eliminating the PKK terrorist organization is in the interest of the Arab country. The Turkish President said: "Draining the swamp of terrorism in Syria and Iraq will not only be through our work, but also through the joint efforts of the administrations of the two countries." He stressed that this struggle will continue, whether inside or outside our borders, within the framework of international law and by respecting the unity and territorial integrity of the neighboring country. Erdogan expressed his hope that neighboring countries would show the necessary stance in confronting the t hreats targeting Turkish lands. Regarding the development road project, President Erdogan said that it was at the top of the agenda of the visit and that it culminated in the signing of a four-way memorandum of understanding through which an important stage was passed. The Turkish President promised faster progress in completing the development road project in the coming days. According to the Turkish President, 27 agreements and memorandums of understanding signed by Turkey and Iraq will contribute to strengthening relations between the two countries further. Source: National Iraqi News Agency