ISTANBUL (AA) – Kirkuk Governor and Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITC) Chairman Mehmet Seman Ağa said that the appointment of a Turkmen governor to Kirkuk following the local elections held last year was a result of great efforts. Agha, who met with the Turkmens at the organization organized by Iraqi Turkmen associations in Istanbul, was welcomed with the slogan “Kirkuk is Turkish, it will remain Turkish.” In his speech here, Ağa said, “We had a promise when we were together with you in Istanbul last year.
God willing, in 2026, 102 years later, we said, “We will do our best to appoint a Turkmen governor to Kirkuk.” I am both proud and excited that such a success has been achieved today. he said. Stating that the success of the Turkmens in Kirkuk was thanks to the votes of the nation as well as the martyrs, Ağa said, “If our dear nation had not remained loyal and supported the Iraqi Turkmen Front, this success would not have happened today.” he said.
Ağa stated that his father was unwell and that he wanted to stay with him in Ankara, and he said to me (my father): ‘Go and visit the state business, the nation’s business cannot be interrupted.’ he said. Evaluating the political struggle of Iraqi Turkmens, the new administrative structure in Kirkuk and their goals for the future, Ağa said that Turkmens live together with all nations on common ground, within the framework of rights, law and justice, in the lands where they have lived for centuries.
Ağa stated that Turkmens struggled for existence in Kirkuk, and that the biggest share in the success was the Turkmen people and their martyrs. – Turkmen is on the side of justice. Explaining that they held negotiations with all Shiite, Sunni, Kurdish and Christian groups in Iraq after the election process, Ağa said, “We had a difficult negotiation regarding the sharing of administration in Kirkuk. Did we get the governorship?
We got it. Did we break the chain? we broke it. From now on, our goal is to have a Turkmen governor serve at least 1 or 1.5 years in every 4 years. he said. Stating that the term of governorship is determined by sharing, Ağa said that they took a role in the administration in consensus with the Arab and Kurdish elements and that they also had duties at other levels of the state. Ağa emphasized that the main purpose of assuming the governorship as the President of ITF was to serve the nation and said, “Let’s be a governor worthy of Turkmens.” Turkmen are in favor of justice.
We are a just society. I will treat everyone fairly. he said. – Relations with Türkiye and the water problem Ağa stated that they met with Türkiye to find a solution to the water shortage in Iraq and said, “We tried to be a bridge between Ankara and Baghdad. We tried to be as beneficial as we could to our country, Iraq, to our hometown, Tekmeneli and Kirkuk. he said. Agha expressed his appreciation for the efforts of former Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani in solving the water problem and stated that they support the steps taken towards Iraq’s stability, sovereignty and concentration of weapons in the hands of a single state.
Stating that enemy imperialist forces are causing strife in Iraq, Ağa stated that Türkiye prioritizes the higher interests of the state over minor interests and shows this as an example to Iraqi politicians. Referring to his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ağa stated that Erdoğan congratulated the new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali ez-Zeydi and asked for a ministry for the ITF and the Turkmens. Agha, the Turk remains loyal to his state, remains loyal to his sovereignty, remains loyal to his geography, remains loyal to his flag, and no Turk will divide his state or cause it to be divided.
After our last contacts in Baghdad, I hope you will see a ministry in the new government. he said. Stating that they are struggling to get a ministry in the new government to be established within the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government, Ağa stated that they will do their best in this regard. – Call for the reconstruction of Kirkuk Emphasizing that they will protect the historical and cultural heritage of Kirkuk, Ağa said that they have prepared projects for the restoration of the Ottoman Bridge, Kirkuk Castle and barracks, and that he signed the exploration reports of works such as the large market place and the national park.
Ağa stated that they are in contact with institutions in Türkiye such as municipalities, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, ASELSAN, Turkish Contractors Association and Foreign Economic Relations Board. Stating that they want to make the best use of their family ties with Türkiye, Ağa said: “Let municipalities and companies come from Türkiye.” Let’s serve Kirkuk and raise up all our villages. Then Kirkuk will become an exemplary city.
he said. Turkmeneli Women’s Association President Fevziye Hasasu, Middle East Businessmen’s Association President Ömer Köprülü, Iraqi Turks Altınköprü Association President Amir Köprülü, ITC Turkey Representative Kutluhan
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