Türkiye will play important guiding role in region: Iraqi Turkmen Front

The visit to Iraq this week by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was historic and marked a new phase in improving bilateral ties, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) has said.

"We believe that Türkiye and President Erdogan will play an important guiding role in the region's current complex political and security equation," Hasan Turan told Anadolu Agency on Friday.

Turan said he sees a historic chance in economic cooperation between Türkiye and Iraq, similar to the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik Oil Pipeline project in the 1970s.

He added that the Development Road Project is significant for Iraq as it would diversify the country's income beyond oil.

"We believe that with the implementation of the project, the presence of PKK (terrorists) in the region will also be ended," he said.

Highlighting that 26 agreements were signed during Erdogan's visit, Turan noted Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani's commitment to strengthening ties with Ankara.

Resolving Baghdad-Erbil tensions

Turan also emphasised the need for a fair local administration in Kirkuk and proposed a joint administration and rotating governor system.

He noted that Erdogan's opinion and advice on the issue were important.

The ITF leader said Türkiye could significantly resolve tensions between the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government and Baghdad.

Underlining one of the biggest problems in Erbil-Baghdad relations is oil exports, Turan emphasised that Ankara's role in mediating the problem will have positive repercussions, given that oil exports are made through Türkiye.