The Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, reaffirmed on March 17, 2025, his government’s determination to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan Region. This statement was made during his meeting with Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, who was visiting Baghdad. Al-Sudani’s office released details of the meeting, highlighting significant ambitions for cooperative efforts between Iraq and Turkey across multiple sectors.
According to the statement, Al-Sudani emphasized the Iraqi government’s commitment to enhancing joint cooperation with Turkish companies, particularly focusing on energy diversification and collaborative projects. “The government is making great efforts to rationalize oil exports from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” Al-Sudani stated, pointing out the progression of negotiations with foreign oil companies contracted with the region to resolve technical issues associated with the resumption of exports.
Bayraktar responded positively, expressing Turkey’s interest in deepening cooperation with Iraq, especially noting the importance of exporting oil from Basra through the Turkish port of Ceyhan. He also mentioned the strategic development road project as a key area for investment and future opportunity between the two countries.
During discussions, both leaders touched upon the increasingly significant role of energy collaboration. Al-Sudani indicated plans to boost electricity supplies through joint infrastructure, which would increase confidence and reliability for both nations. Specifically, he pointed out efforts to augment bilateral electricity linkages.
On this front, recent negotiations between the Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadel and Bayraktar spotlighted both countries’ commitment to enhancing the electrical grid’s capacity. Baghdad confirmed it is ready to increase the power supply capacity through shared transmission to 600 megawatts, with Turkey promising to address any supply challenges moving forward.
Scenarios for strengthening this interdependence were laid out, with discussions aiming to also establish clearer agreements pertaining to water supplies. By securing organized and regular water imports for Iraq, both governments seek to build sustainable partnerships.
Importantly, the meeting arrives amid regional discussions to resuscitate Iraq's oil sector, which has been facing challenges due to political and technical complications over self-governing entities within the Kurdistan Region. Al-Sudani remarked, "We are working to diversify our energy sources," underscoring the shift toward more resilient and varied energy supply lines.
Further dialogue included plans to revise the existing agreements governing the pipeline from Turkey and expand it southward to improve exports. This aim is not only to increase efficiency but also to support Iraq's economic interests as it looks to regain its standing among oil producers.
Overall, both leaders showcased their willingness to end years of disputes and pursue integrated strategies to meet mutual energy needs amid ever-changing geopolitical dynamics. Bayraktar concluded his remarks by indicating, "We desire more cooperation with Iraq in oil and gas industries," reinforcing the perspective of shared benefits from such cooperation.
These cooperative efforts symbolize strategic pivots for both countries, reminding foreign partners of the importance of Iraq’s oil and energy resources. They also signify a broader aim of stabilizing the southern region’s economy, with oil exports being the cornerstone for achieving these objectives. The continuation of fruitful negotiations will be key to addressing previous challenges and unlocking Iraq’s potential as a leading player on the energy frontier.