U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani agreed to quickly reopen the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline to support Iraq’s energy independence and U.S. investments. The cessation of oil exports has caused significant economic damage. They discussed strategic partnerships, Iraq’s stability, and efforts to reduce Iranian influence and combat terrorism.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani held a call on Tuesday, during which they agreed to expedite the reopening of the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline. The objective is for Iraq to achieve energy independence and to honor existing contractual agreements with U.S. companies to foster additional investment, as stated by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
The oil exports from Iraq to Ceyhan Port had been suspended on March 25, 2023, following a ruling by the International Court of Arbitration regarding oil trade between Türkiye and Iraq. This interruption has reportedly inflicted over 23 billion dollars in economic loss on Iraq.
During their conversation, Rubio and Al-Sudani also addressed the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership, emphasizing the significance of Iraq’s stability, sovereignty, and the necessity to diminish Iran’s influence, as well as to combat the threat posed by ISIL (Daesh). Rubio further stressed the importance of preventing Syria from becoming a stronghold for terrorism that could endanger neighboring countries.
Al-Sudani’s office issued a statement indicating that the two leaders concurred on the necessity of improving communication and fostering deeper cooperation between Iraq and the United States. They also reviewed advancements made in various bilateral initiatives.
In summary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani are working collaboratively to reopen the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline, focusing on Iraq’s energy independence and economic recovery. Their discussions highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Iraq partnership, stressing regional stability and the deterrence of terrorism. Moreover, the commitment to improve communication and cooperation indicates a strong willingness to navigate the complexities of geopolitical interests in the region.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
