Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar conducted high-level talks in Iraq, discussing energy cooperation and trade. Key agreements included plans to double electricity supplies and consider gas imports from Turkey. Bayraktar emphasized strengthening the strategic partnership and facilitating Turkish investments in Iraq’s energy sector.
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar engaged in high-level discussions in Iraq, focusing on collaboration in the oil, electricity, and gas sectors, along with enhancing bilateral trade. During his meeting on March 16 in Baghdad with Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, they addressed the development of existing partnerships in the energy sector. The meeting resulted in an agreement to double Turkey’s electricity supplies to Iraq, as reported by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
Additionally, discussions included the potential for Iraq to import gas from Turkey to cater to its power plants’ requirements. The talks also emphasized encouraging Turkish investments in Iraq’s oil and gas industries, aiming to create necessary facilities for business engagement. Notably, Bayraktar visited Iraq following the U.S. ending a sanctions waiver that previously permitted Iraq to procure electricity from Iran.
In meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Bayraktar conveyed, “We evaluated what could be done to deepen our cooperation in the field of energy and contribute to regional energy security. We agreed to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Türkiye and Iraq.” Subsequently, Bayraktar consulted with Deputy Prime Minister and Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulgani and Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadhil.
Bayraktar’s itinerary also included dialogue with Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), in Erbil. He stated, “During our meeting, we discussed the steps to be taken to develop our oil and electricity trade and what can be done to develop cooperation with our public-private companies in the hydrocarbon fields in the region.”
The meetings undertaken by Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar in Iraq centered on enhancing collaboration in the energy sector, particularly in oil, electricity, and gas. Notable agreements include increasing electricity supplies to Iraq and exploring gas imports from Turkey. These strategic discussions aim to reinforce Turkey’s partnership with Iraq and facilitate Turkish investments in Iraq’s energy industry, ensuring regional energy security.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
