Iraqi PM al-Zeydi to visit Ankara on Tuesday for cooperation talks

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zeydi will make an official visit to Ankara on Tuesday, a government source said, with officials set to discuss cooperation on security, the economy and investment. The talks are also expected to cover energy coordination, including on oil, and ways to expand bilateral trade. Regional and international developments are on the agenda as well, according to the source. Separately, an Iraqi oil delegation recently travelled to Turkey to negotiate a mechanism for exporting Iraqi crude through Turkish ports. The source said the two sides are working toward an arrangement acceptable to both governments and that the negotiations took place ahead of al-Zeydi's visit, during which several bilateral partnership agreements could be signed. Iraq is seeking alternative, secure routes to bring its oil to international markets.