Strengthening Turkish-Iraqi Economic Ties: Energy and Development Cooperation
On Monday, Turkish Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Sudani welcomed Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alp Arslan Bayrakdar during his official visit to Baghdad.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s office highlighted the Iraqi government’s commitment to bolstering collaborative efforts with Turkish companies across diverse sectors. A key focus lies in the energy sector, where Iraq aims to diversify its energy sources. This includes enhancing electricity supply through joint interconnections and developing strategic infrastructure, particularly in relation to water resource management to ensure consistent water imports for Iraq.
The Prime Minister noted ongoing efforts to revive oil exports from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, indicating that negotiations with foreign oil companies operating in the region are progressing to address technical challenges hindering export activities.
Minister Bayrakdar expressed Turkey’s eagerness to partner with Iraq on various initiatives, especially in the domains of refinery construction and petrochemical industries. He underscored the significance of exporting oil from the Basra region via the Turkish port of Jihan, identifying this as a vital avenue for development and investment opportunities.
On Sunday, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein convened with Minister Bayrakdar to agree on an ambitious plan to double the electricity supply that Turkey will provide to Iraq. Discussions also revolved around the potential import of Turkish gas to meet the needs of electricity generation facilities.
The talks also included renewing the Jihan oil pipeline contract, with considerations to extend the pipeline southward to enhance Iraq’s oil exports to European markets.
In a related development, Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel met with Minister Bayrakdar to discuss strengthening the electrical interconnection between the two nations. Iraq confirmed its readiness to increase the capacity of equipment via the joint line to 600 megawatts, with Turkey committed to doubling the supply in the coming months.
Minister Bayrakdar’s arrival in Baghdad on Sunday coincided with a reception by Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs, Oil Minister Hayyan Abdul-Ghani, further solidifying the cooperative framework between the two nations.
This partnership not only reflects a strategic alignment in energy policy but also emphasizes a shared vision for economic growth and infrastructural development in the region.
