Ankara: Trkiye and Iraq reaffirmed their commitment Tuesday to deepening commercial and economic relations and achieving a medium-term trade volume target of $30 billion. Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat met his Iraqi counterpart, Mustafa Nizar Jumaa, in Ankara as part of Prime Minister Ali Zeydi's visit to Trkiye.
According to Anadolu Agency, Bolat shared on Turkish social media platform NSosyal that the two ministers discussed concrete steps needed to reach the trade target, expand existing areas of cooperation, and encourage mutual investments. The talks also focused on the strategic importance of the Development Road Project as alternative international trade routes gain prominence. They assessed efforts to develop new joint projects, facilitate transit trade, harmonize customs procedures, and strengthen cooperation between the two countries' customs authorities.
Bolat mentioned that Trkiye and Iraq would establish a new roadmap during the third meeting of the Trkiye-Iraq Joint Economic and Trade Committee, or JETCO, scheduled in Trkiye in the final quarter of 2026. He emphasized that the rapid integration of the Ibrahim Khalil Border Gate into the ASYCUDA customs system implemented by the Iraqi government would make an important contribution to achieving the $30 billion trade target. Additionally, the Development Road Project is expected to accelerate investment and contracting activities between Trkiye and Iraq, including through the establishment of new logistics centers and cities.
In a separate statement, Trkiye's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu highlighted their meeting with Vahab al-Hasani, Iraq's transport minister. Al-Hasani is part of the delegation of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who is visiting Trkiye upon the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Uraloglu noted that based on the deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between Trkiye and Iraq, collaborations, especially in transportation, will contribute to their common goals and provide significant contributions to the development of both countries and regional stability.
He also stated that Turkish and Iraqi delegations, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi, held talks on strengthening strategic cooperation. The discussions focused on joint steps in transportation, energy, and trade, particularly the Development Road Project. Uraloglu added that the memoranda of understanding signed during the visit would strengthen transport links, support economic integration, and contribute to regional development.