Türkiye and Iraq are set to strengthen their energy partnership, with Ankara and Baghdad moving towards a new agreement to keep crude oil flowing through the Iraq-Türkiye Crude Oil Pipeline while expanding cooperation across strategic sectors.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar held talks in Baghdad on Thursday with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi and Oil Minister Basim Mohammed Khudair, focusing on energy cooperation, investment and regional connectivity.
Pipeline stability at centre of energy talks
Türkiye and Iraq are expected to sign a 12-month agreement in the coming days to ensure uninterrupted crude oil flows through the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, according to Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.
Bayraktar said the pipeline would continue operating without interruption, describing talks with his Iraqi counterpart as productive.
"We assessed the areas of cooperation we can develop in the oil and natural gas sectors, particularly focusing on the Iraq-Türkiye Crude Oil Pipeline," Bayraktar said.
He said better use of existing infrastructure and new connections would form the foundation of a shared energy vision between the two countries.
Development Road project drives wider partnership
During his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi, Bayraktar highlighted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s support for the Development Road Project, saying it could provide a major boost to regional trade and connectivity.
He said Türkiye is ready to cooperate with Iraq under the project in oil, natural gas, electricity and other sectors.
Al-Zaydi said Iraq sees major opportunities for partnership with Türkiye and called for increased Turkish investment, particularly in agriculture.
He added that work is under way to establish a Türkiye-Iraq fund aimed at strengthening economic ties and accelerating investments.
The Iraqi prime minister said his government is advancing development efforts, including infrastructure improvements to support investors in the agriculture and livestock sectors.
Bayraktar said Türkiye attaches great importance to its relations with Iraq and aims to raise cooperation with Baghdad’s new government through concrete projects.
