President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared an important energy offer from Iraq with the public at a press conference held after his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zeydi in Ankara. Erdoğan stated that 'Iraq has offered to supply Turkey with 1 million barrels of oil daily,' adding that this amount would fully meet Turkey's needs.
Historic oil deal in Kirkuk
Erdoğan announced that Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) had won production share rights in the Kirkuk field operated by British Petroleum (BP). Describing the deal as a 'historic step in terms of energy partnership,' the president emphasized that the development would strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries.
Regional connectivity and security cooperation
Stressing the importance of the 'Development Road' project, which aims to connect the Persian Gulf to the world via Iraq, Erdoğan said the project had become more important than ever in light of current developments. Noting that security and counterterrorism issues also featured prominently in the talks, Erdoğan said: 'We do not see Iraq's peace and stability as separate from Turkey's situation. We are striving for our region to be remembered with development, prosperity, peace and stability, not war, terrorism and conflict.'
Erdoğan said they were in close dialogue with Iraqi officials to implement the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process and the 'terror-free region' concept, expressing hope that the issue, which has cost both countries dearly, would be completely removed from the agenda. He added that Turkey was ready to do its part in supplying defense industry products needed by Iraq.
Trade volume and Iraqi Turkmens
The president noted that the trade volume between the two countries had approached 17 billion dollars last year, adding that they wanted to push it even higher. Erdoğan also expressed pleasure at Iraqi Prime Minister Zeydi's special attention to Iraqi Turkmens, who are an inseparable part of Iraq's cultural richness. He stressed that it was meaningful that Iraqi Turkmen Front Secretary-General and Kirkuk Governor Selman Ağaoğlu was included in Zeydi's delegation.
Regional developments discussed
President Erdoğan announced that they exchanged views with the Iraqi prime minister on regional developments, notably Iran, Syria and Palestine. He said Ankara considered Iraq's integration efforts with the region, especially its contacts with Syria, as constructive steps and supported them.
