Turkiye takes ‘historic step’ on energy alliance with Iraq

Turkiye is set to receive up to 1 million barrels of oil per day from Iraq following a new energy cooperation framework. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that state-owned Turkish Petroleum (TPOA) will acquire a 15 percent stake in BP Energy Company of Kirkuk Limited. This development comes as the previous Iraq-Turkiye crude oil agreement, which operationalized the Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline, expired on July 27. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Turkiye to discuss bilateral issues, including this new energy deal, which aims to diversify Turkiye's energy sources. The move is seen as significant beyond energy ties, also encompassing security and development projects.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is visiting Turkiye with a high-level delegation to discuss strategic cooperation, security, water, and economic issues. A key focus is a new oil pipeline agreement, as Iraq seeks to resume and increase oil exports through Turkiye following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq also aims to secure new energy deals and alternate export routes, potentially via Turkiye and Syria. The visit will also address the Development Route project, a transport network connecting Iraq to the Iraq-Turkiye-Syria border. Water management, specifically concerning the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and the sensitive issue of Turkish military presence in Iraq to combat the PKK are also on the agenda.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is in Turkey for discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials. The talks are expected to focus on joint infrastructure projects, including the potential construction of a pipeline to Turkey to diversify Iraq's oil export routes away from the Gulf. Other key areas of discussion include security, trade, energy, transportation, and water management. This visit follows al-Zaidi's recent trips to Washington and Tehran. The discussions also occur as Turkey is engaged in peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), whose fighters are based in northern Iraq.