Turkey and Iraq Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Oil and Gas

Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar and his Iraqi counterpart, Oil Minister Basem Mohammed Khudeir Al-Abadi, discussed expanding cooperation in oil and natural gas, especially the existing crude oil pipeline. The meeting occurred in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Thursday. The Turkish Minister described it as fruitful, underscoring that efficient use of current infrastructure and supporting it with new connections forms the core of Turkey and Iraq's shared energy vision. Bayraktar added that work continues within this framework to transform the "Development Road" project from a mere trade and transport corridor into a regional energy line. He emphasized close coordination and cooperation with the Iraqi government, believing forthcoming practical steps will advance bilateral partnership. The "Development Road" project is a land and railway route extending 1200 kilometers within Iraq to Turkey and its ports. It aims to transport goods between Europe and Gulf states, standing as a key commercial link between the Arabian Gulf and Europe via Iraq and Turkey.