Iraq’s new prime minister in Turkey for talks on pipeline, trade and security
Summary
Iraq’s new Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi visited Turkey to discuss building a pipeline to reduce Iraq’s dependence on Gulf oil routes and to talk about security, trade, and infrastructure projects. His visit follows recent trips to the U.S. and Iran and includes meetings with Turkey’s President Erdogan amid Turkey’s efforts to resolve conflict with Kurdish militants in northern Iraq.Key Facts
- Ali al-Zaidi is Iraq’s new prime minister and this is his third foreign visit since taking office.
- The talks in Turkey focus on a pipeline from Iraq to Turkey to help safely export Iraqi oil.
- Discussions also cover security, trade, energy, transportation, and water management between Iraq and Turkey.
- After meeting President Trump, Iraq signed about $60 billion in deals with U.S. companies, including alternative oil shipping routes.
- One proposed pipeline would connect southern Iraq (Basra) to western Iraq (Haditha) and then to ports in Turkey and Syria.
- Turkey is working to end a long conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has operated mainly in northern Iraq.
- The PKK announced disarmament last year and Turkey plans laws offering amnesty to some fighters to support the peace process.
- The PKK is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU and has been involved in a conflict costing tens of thousands of lives since 1984.
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