Turkish Petroleum Secures Stake in Key Iraqi Oil Field
Türkiye has secured a major energy partnership with Iraq after Turkish Petroleum gained a role in the Kirkuk production field.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the agreement as a historic development in bilateral energy cooperation.
He announced the deal during a joint news conference in Ankara with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Tuesday.
Erdogan said the partnership would strengthen energy relations between the two neighbouring countries.
“The Kirkuk production field has been granted to Turkish Petroleum as a partner,” Erdogan said.
He added that the agreement marked an important step in energy sector cooperation.
The deal is expected to expand Turkish Petroleum’s regional operations and increase economic coordination between Ankara and Baghdad.
Kirkuk is one of Iraq’s most important oil-producing regions. Its energy resources have long played a central role in the country’s economy.
Türkiye also holds strategic importance for Iraqi energy exports because of its location between the Middle East and European markets.
The new partnership could create further opportunities for joint investment, infrastructure development and energy transportation.
However, detailed information about Turkish Petroleum’s stake, production targets and financial commitments was not announced.
Regional Security and Defence Cooperation Discussed
Erdogan said the two leaders also discussed major political and security developments across the region.
Their talks focused particularly on Iran, Syria and Palestine.
The Turkish president said Ankara wanted regional countries to work together for peace, stability and economic development.
He stressed that Türkiye did not want the region to remain associated with terrorism, conflict and instability.
“We are striving to ensure that our region is known not for war, terrorism and conflict, but for development, prosperity, peace and stability,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan also said Türkiye was ready to provide Iraq with defence industry products.
The offer signals growing security and military cooperation between the two countries.
Türkiye has developed a wide range of defence products, including drones, armoured vehicles, communication systems and electronic equipment.
Erdogan did not specify which defence products Iraq might purchase or whether any separate defence agreements had been signed.
Security cooperation remains a major issue in relations between Ankara and Baghdad.
Türkiye has repeatedly raised concerns about armed groups operating near its border and inside northern Iraq.
Erdogan said both governments remained in close dialogue over Türkiye’s efforts to eliminate terrorism.
He linked this process to Ankara’s wider vision of establishing a terror-free region.
The Turkish president said Iraq’s security could not be separated from Türkiye’s own national security.
He noted that Iraq had suffered heavily because of years of war, terrorism and political instability.
Erdogan said peace in Iraq would support stability throughout the wider region.
Development Road Project Gains Strategic Importance
The Turkish and Iraqi leaders also discussed the Development Road Project.
The proposed trade route aims to connect the Gulf with Türkiye and international markets through Iraq.
The project includes plans for new roads, railways, ports and logistics networks.
It is designed to create a major commercial corridor extending from southern Iraq towards Türkiye and Europe.
Erdogan said current regional developments had increased the project’s strategic importance.
The route could provide an alternative trade link between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
It could also reduce transportation times and support investment in Iraqi infrastructure.
Türkiye views the project as an opportunity to strengthen its position as a regional trade and energy hub.
Iraq hopes the route will diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenues.
The project could create jobs, attract foreign investment and support the development of industrial and logistics centres.
However, its success will depend on security, financing and cooperation among regional governments.
Erdogan said Türkiye remained committed to supporting Iraq’s development and economic stability.
He also stressed that Ankara had never considered Iraq’s peace and security separately from its own interests.
The Kirkuk energy agreement, defence cooperation and Development Road Project indicate that Türkiye and Iraq are seeking a broader strategic partnership.
Their cooperation now covers energy production, security, trade, transport and regional diplomacy.
The latest agreement could mark the beginning of deeper economic engagement between the two countries.
Both governments are expected to continue discussions on the implementation of the Kirkuk partnership and other joint projects.
