Türkiye, Iraq move to boost energy ties with pipeline deal, development push

Türkiye and Iraq are set to strengthen their energy partnership, with Ankara and Baghdad moving towards a new agreement to keep crude oil flowing through the Iraq-Türkiye Crude Oil Pipeline while expanding cooperation across strategic sectors.

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar held talks in Baghdad on Thursday with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Ali al-Zaydi and Oil Minister Basim Mohammed Khudair, focusing on energy cooperation, investment and regional connectivity.

Pipeline stability at centre of energy talks

Türkiye and Iraq are expected to sign a 12-month agreement in the coming days to ensure uninterrupted crude oil flows through the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline to the Mediterranean port of Ceyhan, according to Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry.

Bayraktar said the pipeline would continue operating without interruption, describing talks with his Iraqi counterpart as productive.

“We assessed the areas of cooperation we can develop in the oil and natural gas sectors, particularly focusing on the Iraq-Türkiye Crude Oil Pipeline,” Bayraktar said.

He said better use of existing infrastructure and new connections would form the foundation of a shared energy vision between the two countries.