Iraq and Turkiye are prepared for the resumption of oil exports from the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) via Turkiye’s Ceyhan Port, with oil shipments expected to begin soon, the president of the KRG said today according to Reuters.
Speaking at the Erbil Forum 2025 in Erbil, Nechirvan Barzani said the suspension of oil shipments caused Iraq a loss of $19-20 billion, emphasising that this is a significant amount for Iraq.
“Turkiye has always expressed its readiness for the resumption of oil exports, and there are no issues regarding the export of KRG oil,” he said.
“We have repeatedly stated that oil is a commercial commodity, not a political one.”
“Therefore, both Iraq and Turkiye are ready for oil exports. Only technical matters, such as financing by the companies, remain. We expect oil exports to resume soon,” he added.
The US also plays a supportive role in the resumption of oil shipments, said Barzani, adding: “The US is a key partner of both Iraq and the KRG, and it has played a supportive and encouraging role in this matter.”
“Some of the companies here are already American companies. Russia also has a supportive role in this, as Russian companies are present in the field,” the president said.
Regarding the Development Road Project, Barzani emphasised that it is a strategic project, saying: “We want to learn about the route and design of the Development Road Project.”
He also stated that the project should not aim to divide Iraqis but to unite them, and all Iraqis should benefit from it while the KRG should not be deprived of these privileges.
“Turkiye is also ready to help in this regard, and they have stated that the issue is an internal matter between Baghdad and us, which we need to resolve among ourselves.”
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