The visit to Iraq this week by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was historic and marked a new phase in bilateral ties, the head of the Iraqi Turkmen Front (ITF) said Friday.
Hasan Turan told Anadolu that the visit marked a turning point in relations between Trkiye and Iraq.
“We believe that Trkiye and President Erdogan will play an important guiding role in the current complex political and security equation in the region,” he said.
Turan said he sees a historic chance in economic cooperation between Trkiye and Iraq, similar to the Kirkuk-Yumurtalik Oil Pipeline project in the 1970s.
He said the Development Road project is extremely important 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 26 agreements signed during Erdogan’s visit, Turan noted Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiya al-Sudani’s commitment to strengthening ties with Ankara.
T
rkiye can help resolve tensions between Baghdad and Erbil
Turan emphasized the need for a fair local administration in Kirkuk and proposed a joint administration and rotating governor system.
He noted Erdogan’s opinion and advice on the issue is important.
Turan said he believes Trkiye can contribute significantly to resolving tensions between the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government and Baghdad.
Underlining one of the biggest problems in Erbil-Baghdad relations is oil exports, Turan emphasized that Ankara’s role in solving the problem will have positive repercussions, given that oil exports are made through Trkiye.
Source: Anadolu Agency