Erdogan engages in talks with Al-Sudani in Baghdad on oil, regional security

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan embarked on a significant state visit to Iraq on Monday, marking his first official trip to the country in years. The discussions, anticipated to focus on water resources, oil, and regional security, commenced with Erdogan’s reception at Baghdad’s international airport, where he was greeted by Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani amidst a ceremonial 21-gun salute.

The Turkish leader is slated to engage in talks with Al-Sudani and President Abdel Latif Rashid in Baghdad, followed by meetings with officials in Arbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region.

During a recent address at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Al-Sudani emphasized the historical ties and shared interests between Iraq and Turkey, underscoring the significance of addressing mutual concerns. Highlighting water and security as paramount issues, Al-Sudani outlined the agenda for discussions with Erdogan, marking the latter’s first visit to Iraq since 2011. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the region due to conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war, Erdogan’s visit assumes added importance in fostering regional stability.

Farhad Alaaldin, foreign affairs adviser to Al-Sudani, delineated the focal points of Erdogan’s discussions, encompassing investments, trade, security collaboration, and water resource management. Alaaldin anticipates the signing of several memoranda of understanding, particularly regarding the contentious issue of water resources, with Baghdad voicing concerns over Turkish dams exacerbating water scarcity in Iraq.

Moreover, the interruption of Iraqi oil exports, primarily through the Kurdistan region, poses a significant challenge. The cessation of oil sales has incurred substantial financial losses for Iraq, prompting efforts to resolve legal disputes and technical impediments. Majid al-Lajmawi, Iraq’s ambassador to Turkey, expressed optimism regarding progress on water, energy, and oil export issues, anticipating the signing of a comprehensive strategic framework agreement encompassing security, economy, and development.

The agenda also includes discussions on the “Route of Development,” a transformative infrastructure project aimed at enhancing economic ties between Iraq and Turkey. With a projected length of 1,200 kilometers spanning Iraq, the initiative seeks to bolster connectivity and trade between the two nations by 2030. Furthermore, given Turkey’s military presence in northern Iraq to combat the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), security cooperation will feature prominently in the talks, addressing concerns over border security and cross-border infiltration by armed groups.

In navigating these complex geopolitical dynamics, Erdogan’s visit underscores the imperative of fostering cooperation to address shared challenges and promote regional stability. While the discussions encompass a range of economic, security, and strategic dimensions, the outcomes hold the potential to reshape bilateral relations and advance mutual interests in the broader Middle East region.