Iraq, Turkey discuss Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani met Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar on Thursday to discuss cooperation in the oil and gas sectors, including the implementation of the Kirkuk-Ceyhan crude oil export pipeline agreement. According to a statement from the Iraqi Oil Ministry, the two ministers reviewed joint projects, the export pipeline deal and ways to increase export capacities. The talks also covered expanding bilateral cooperation across various fields and opportunities for Turkish companies to take part in investment projects in Iraq. The Iraqi ministry said both sides agreed to continue negotiations on the pipeline agreement, work toward raising export capacities and advance other projects. The Iraqi delegation included Oil Ministry Undersecretary for Production Nasser Aziz, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Mohammed Hussein Bahr al-Ulum, and the heads of the contracts and oil licensing department and the legal department. The Turkish side included Deputy Energy Minister Ahmet Berat Çonkar, Turkish Ambassador to Baghdad Anıl Bora İnan, and the heads of BOTAŞ and Turkish Petroleum.