Turkey Iraq

Turkey: We discuss with Iraq expanding cooperation in oil and gas

Başak Erkalan Köprübaşılı, Muhammet Torunlu

09 July 2026 • Updated: 09 July 2026

photo: from: x.com/aBayraktar1/status / AA

ANKARA

Ankara / Anadolu Agency

- Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the two countries are working to transform the Development Road project into a regional energy line

- Iraqi Foreign Ministry said the visit is part of expanding cooperation in energy, infrastructure projects, and the oil export file

Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar discussed with Iraqi Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudhair al-Abadi opportunities to expand cooperation between the two countries in the fields of oil and natural gas, particularly the crude oil pipeline between the two countries.

This came during their meeting in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, according to a post by the Turkish minister on the Turkish platform 'In Social', on Thursday.

Bayraktar stated that he held a productive meeting with al-Abadi, emphasizing that more efficient use of existing infrastructure and supporting it with new connection lines form the basis of the common vision between Turkey and Iraq in the energy field.

He added: 'Within the framework of this vision, we continue to work with the aim of transforming the Development Road project from merely a trade and transport corridor into a regional energy line as well.'

Bayraktar stressed the importance of moving forward with close coordination and cooperation with the new Iraqi government.

He expressed his belief that the expected practical steps in this framework will elevate the partnership between the two countries to an advanced level.

For its part, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Bayraktar's visit comes within the framework of 'joint efforts to expand the horizons of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in energy and infrastructure projects, along with the file of Iraqi oil exports, in a way that achieves common interests.'

The statement added that the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Relations, Mohammed Hussein Mohammed Bahr Al-Uloom, emphasized during his reception of the Turkish minister in Baghdad the importance of the visit in light of the developments in the region.

Bahr Al-Uloom stressed the need to enhance rapprochement between the two countries and expand partnerships based on common interests and mutual benefit, contributing to supporting stability and achieving sustainable development.

The 'Development Road' is a land and railway project extending from Iraq to Turkey and its ports, 1,200 km long within Iraq, and aims to transport goods between Europe and the Gulf countries.

The project is one of the most prominent trade connectivity routes between the Arabian Gulf and Europe via Iraq and Turkey.