Al-Zaydi: “The development route” transforms Iraq and Turkey into a link between Asia and Europe
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Tuesday that the vital development road project transforms Iraq and Turkey into a link connecting Asia and Europe, while also calling for joint management of the water issue between the two countries.
In an article for the official Turkish news agency Anadolu, Al-Zaydi wrote that “during the past decades, the relationship between Iraq and Turkey was presented from the angle of files that need management: security, water, trade, and border movement,” indicating that the region “stands today before a different opportunity, which requires us to look to the future with a more ambitious eye.” DailyNews Reports
He added that “Iraq has chosen the path of stability, reform and development, and has prioritized building a strong economy, an effective state, and balanced foreign relations that make regional cooperation a pillar of growth,” stressing that Turkey “possesses an advanced industrial base, a strategic location, and extensive experience in the fields of infrastructure, energy and transportation.”
Al-Zaydi said that “the potential of the two countries together is not just shared borders, but a wide space to build one of the most important economic partnerships in the region,” noting that “Iraq and Turkey have a historic opportunity to transform their geographical location into economic value, making them a link between the Gulf, Asia and Europe.”
He pointed out that “the development route is not just an Iraqi project, but a regional one that redefines the concept of economic connectivity in the Middle East,” explaining that “the development route not only shortens the time for transporting goods, but also creates new cities, industrial zones, investment opportunities, thousands of jobs, and gives the region a new economic artery that connects ports to global markets.”
In another part of his article, the Iraqi Prime Minister addressed the issue of water, saying that it “is no longer just a technical issue, but has become a development issue that affects the future of millions of citizens,” expressing his hope for “joint management of the water issue based on mutual interests, scientific cooperation, and investment in modern technologies, in order to achieve water and food security for our people.”
These statements come at a time when Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to make an official visit at the head of a high-level government delegation to Ankara to discuss several issues with Turkish officials regarding bilateral relations between the two countries, and the events and developments taking place 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