Iraq and Turkey Agree on Interim Protocol to Ensure Oil Export Continuity

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, Friday, an agreement with Turkey to sign an executive protocol ensuring the continuity of Iraqi oil exports, paving the way for a new comprehensive agreement. This development followed a high-level visit by a delegation from the Republic of Iraq, headed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Oil, to the Turkish capital, Ankara, on Wednesday and Thursday. The visit aimed to discuss the future of the Iraq-Turkey pipeline agreement and prospects for joint cooperation in oil and energy exports. The visit included a series of negotiations and technical meetings involving experts and specialists. The Iraqi delegation comprised relevant Director Generals from the Ministry of Oil, alongside several Director Generals from the Ministry of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The Turkish side was represented by officials and experts from the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The Iraqi delegation, which included Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Bahr Al-Ulum, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil Naseer Al-Hindawi, and Ambassador Majid Al-Lajmawi, held a meeting with Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar. During the meeting, mechanisms for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and ways to ensure the continuity of oil exports, serving the mutual interests of both countries, were discussed. Both sides agreed to continue technical and legal coordination and consultations. The upcoming phase is expected to witness the signing of an executive protocol that guarantees the continuation of Iraqi oil exports, including oil from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This protocol will serve as a transitional step, leading to the conclusion of a new agreement between the two parties within a period not exceeding one year from the date of the current agreement's expiration.