The path to development, water, and security: Iraq presents its vision for a sustainable partnership with Türkiye.
The path to development, water, and security: Iraq presents its vision for a sustainable partnership with Türkiye.
2026-11-15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, affirmed on Sunday that Iraq aspires to a sustainable partnership with Turkey that is not limited to trade exchange or cooperation on security issues, but extends to the fields of investment, energy, industry, transportation, education and scientific research.
Al-Hakim said in a speech he delivered during the Iraqi-Turkish Think Tanks Forum, held under his auspices in Baghdad: “We believe that a strong and stable Iraq is in the interest of neighboring Turkey, just as a stable and prosperous Turkey is in the interest of Iraq as well, and that building trust and mutual respect is the foundation upon which our relations should be based.”
He added that “the Development Road project represents an important opportunity for Iraq to re-employ its geographical location to serve its national economy and enhance its role in regional and international trade,” adding: “We do not want Iraq to be merely a market for goods or a transit route for merchandise, but rather we want it to be a partner in production, manufacturing, and the creation of economic value.”
Al-Hakim stressed that “Iraq needs strategic projects that contribute to addressing the imbalances that its economy suffers from, most notably the heavy reliance on oil revenues, the increasing public spending, the continuous need for job opportunities, and the weak contribution of the productive sectors to the national product.”
He pointed out that “political and security stability is a fundamental condition for the success of major economic projects, which makes strengthening state institutions and consolidating their sovereignty a national priority that is inseparable from development priorities.”
Al-Hakim went on to say, “Our message to our neighbors and partners is that Iraq does not want to be a party to the region’s conflicts, nor an arena for settling scores, but rather wants to be a factor for stability, a partner in protecting regional security, and a launching pad for development projects and economic integration.” He stressed that “strengthening stability in Iraq represents an important guarantee for investments and joint projects, foremost among them the path to development.”
The head of the National State Forces Alliance stressed that “developing Iraqi-Turkish relations also requires addressing the issues that still pose a challenge to the two countries, foremost among them the water issue and security cooperation. Water, for Iraq, is a matter of life, social and economic stability, and it cannot be dealt with as a transient technical issue.” He called for fair and sustainable understandings that take into account the needs of both countries, are based on the principles of good neighborliness and mutual interests, and develop sound management of water resources.
For his part, Iraqi Transport Minister Wahab al-Hassani affirmed that Iraq is moving towards a new phase of economic integration with Turkey, spearheaded by the Development Road project, which serves as a vital artery for trade between East and West, a catalyst for sustainable partnership, and a path to enhance regional security and stability.
In a speech delivered during the forum, the minister said, “The value of geography is manifested when it is coupled with a serious political will and diligent work that transforms natural advantages into economic opportunities, which gives the development path its strategic dimensions as an international corridor that shortens distances for the movement of goods and opens up broader horizons for regional economic integration.”
He pointed to the absolute governmental support for the project and the personal follow-up of Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi on the implementation steps and supporting framework agreements, which enhances the transformation of plans into a tangible reality by creating an attractive investment environment, guaranteeing legislation and integrated infrastructure, enabling international partners, foremost among them the Turkish side, to contribute to the development of Iraqi transport and logistics services.
Al-Hassani linked these efforts to restoring Iraq’s historical position as a crossroads of global trade routes, expressing his hope that the forum’s discussions would yield practical recommendations that would strengthen the Iraqi-Turkish partnership and remove obstacles to joint strategic projects, leading to a future in which geography becomes an economic force that reaches markets and expands development prospects.
In April 2024, Iraq, Turkey, the UAE and Qatar signed a four-way agreement for the Iraq Development Road project, under the auspices of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The project, which includes a 1,200-kilometer road and railway within Iraq, aims to promote economic integration between East and West, increase international trade, and facilitate the movement of goods.
The project’s investment budget is approximately $17 billion, divided between $6.5 billion for the highway and $10.5 billion for the electric railway. It will be implemented in three phases, ending in 2028, 2033, and 2050.
The project is expected to provide around 100,000 job opportunities in the first phase and one million job opportunities upon completion, and will promote economic growth and regional and international cooperation.
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