Focusing on the financial aspect… A second meeting between Iraq and Turkey to discuss the path to development
Focusing on the financial aspect… A second meeting between Iraq and Turkey to discuss the path to development
2026-08-21
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Transport announced on Thursday that it held a second joint meeting with its Turkish counterpart regarding the framework memorandum of understanding for developing transport infrastructure in Iraq within the framework of the Development Road project.
The ministry said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the meeting was held at the headquarters of the General Company for Iraqi Railways in Baghdad, and the discussions focused on financial aspects and ways of participation with the aim of reaching practical and applicable understandings.
According to the statement, both sides stressed the importance of continuing coordination to support the development of the transportation system in Iraq, particularly railways and the strategic development road project.
The statement noted that the meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Oil, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the design consultant on the Iraqi side, while on the Turkish side, representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated.
Last month, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi led a high-level government delegation on an official visit to Ankara to discuss several issues with Turkish officials regarding bilateral relations between the two countries, and current events and developments in the region.
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.
shafaq.com
