Iraqi PM Al-Zaidi Arrives in Turkey for Official Visit
Discussions expected to cover investment, water resources, and regional security, including the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process.
Talivio News · Global2 min read
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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Ankara, Turkey for an official visit upon invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The visit is Al-Zaidi's first official trip to Turkey since taking office in May. He was greeted at the airport by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat.
Al-Zaidi participated in an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Complex, including a 21-gun salute, national anthems, and military honors. He also visited Anıtkabir and laid a wreath at Atatürk's mausoleum.
The talks covered investment, water resources, regional security, and major infrastructure projects, according to reports. Discussions also included issues related to the 'Terörsüz Türkiye' process and disarmament of terrorist group members, as well as bilateral agreements, memoranda of understanding, and joint infrastructure projects.
The visit aims to further develop the political and economic relations between the two countries.
— Iraqi PM Mohammed Ali al-Zaidi
History, geography, culture, shared interests, and everything bring us together with Türkiye.
— Iraqi PM Mohammed Ali al-Zaidi
Al-Zaidi said the two sides would also discuss launching 'a number of economic and security dossiers, in a way that contributes to achieving mutual benefits for both friendly peoples.' The Turkish delegation included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin, and other officials.
Updates
During the official visit, TPAO acquired a 15% stake in BP's Kirkuk field company, while the previously expired Kerkük-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement was not renewed, with both sides aiming for a more comprehensive future energy deal. Regarding bilateral agreements, sources dispute whether three or five MoUs were signed, the latter including frameworks on transportation infrastructure via Ovaköy-Fishkhabur and resource-backed infrastructure development. Additionally, a ceremony incident saw the Iraqi Transport Minister initially refuse to sign the transportation agreement until direct intervention by Al-Zaidi following prompts from President Erdoğan.
During the visit, Turkey and Iraq signed five memoranda of understanding covering education, youth and sports, industrial property, and transport infrastructure, including the Ovaköy-Fishkhabur crossing. While the signing ceremony briefly stalled due to Iraqi Transport Minister Vehb Selman el-Haseni's initial hesitation, the agreements were finalized following diplomatic intervention. Additionally, TPAO has acquired a 15% stake in BP's Kirkuk field company, though the Kerkük-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement remains unsigned with further energy talks expected.
During the official visit, Turkey and Iraq signed five cooperation agreements, including two significant memoranda regarding the Ovaköy-Fishkhabur transport corridor and infrastructure development in exchange for natural resources, alongside pacts on education, sports, and industrial property. TPAO has acquired a 15% stake in the BP-led Kirkuk field, while the Kerkük-Ceyhan pipeline agreement was not renewed, with both sides pledging to pursue a more comprehensive energy deal. Additionally, Baghdad has activated a water cooperation framework set for implementation on September 1, 2026.
During the official visit, Turkey and Iraq signed five agreements, including cooperation on industrial property, education, youth, and sports, alongside a framework agreement for developing transport infrastructure in exchange for natural resources and an MoU regarding the Ovaköy-Fishkhabur border crossing. The signing process involved a diplomatic intervention by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan after the Iraqi Transport Minister initially hesitated to sign the transportation protocols. Furthermore, TPAO acquired a 15% stake in BP's Kirkuk field company, though the Kerkük-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement remains unsigned despite mutual intent for a future comprehensive energy deal.
During the official visit, five memorandums of understanding were signed, covering education, youth and sports, industrial property, and infrastructure development, despite an initial hesitation from the Iraqi Transport Minister during the ceremony. TPAO has acquired a 15% stake in the BP-operated Kirkuk oil field, while the previous Kerkük-Ceyhan pipeline agreement was not renewed, with both sides pledging to pursue a more comprehensive energy deal. Furthermore, Iraq has officially decided to activate a water cooperation framework with Turkey, with financing mechanisms set to begin on September 1, 2026.
During the official visit, five agreements were signed, including cooperation MoUs on education, sports, and industrial property, as well as a framework for transport infrastructure and a railway-road connection via Ovaköy-Fishkhabur. Despite an initial reluctance from the Iraqi Transport Minister during the signing ceremony, the agreements were finalized following diplomatic intervention. Furthermore, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has acquired a 15% stake in BP's Kirkuk field company, while the previous Kerkük-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement remains unsigned with efforts underway to finalize a more comprehensive energy deal.
During the official visit, five cooperation agreements were signed, including memorandums on education, youth, industrial property, and infrastructure development, despite an initial hesitation from the Iraqi Transport Minister during the ceremony. Additionally, TPAO acquired a 15% stake in the BP-operated Kirkuk oil field, while the previous Kerkük-Ceyhan pipeline agreement was not renewed, with both nations committing to a more comprehensive energy deal in the near future. Turkey also expressed readiness to supply Iraq with defense industry products as part of a shared goal to establish a terror-free region.
