Tasnim � Iraqi Interior Minister Qassem al-Araji announced that he has reached an agreement with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts to increase cooperation in border control and the fight against illicit drugs.


In remarks in Ankara on Tuesday, Araji said he had a meeting with the Iranian and Turkish interior ministers, during which the three sides agreed to ensure security of borders among the three neighboring countries and prevent the infiltration of illicit drug smugglers, the Arabic-language Alsumaria news agency reported.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi arrived in Turkey on Tuesday, according to the report.

Speaking at a news conference, Abadi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated their commitment to creating a second border crossing linking their two countries. Both leaders underlined the importance of what Abadi called a �direct link� with Turkey.