The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, announced on Sunday that the trade exchange volume between Türkiye and Iraq has reached $20 billion, signaling a robust economic partnership between the two neighboring countries.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Fidan highlighted Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Iraq’s strategic projects, particularly the Development Road initiative. "We will endeavor to support and implement Iraq’s strategic project of the Development Road," Fidan stated, emphasizing Türkiye’s intent to contribute to Iraq’s development efforts.

Fidan underlined the importance of the bilateral relationship, stating that Türkiye’s security and stability are intrinsically linked to Iraq’s. "The more Iraq experiences security and stability, the more Türkiye will benefit," he said.

The visit, part of Fidan’s official trip to Baghdad, comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to bolster relations between the two nations. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry described the visit as a step towards enhancing partnerships that serve the mutual interests of their people.

In early December, Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat expressed Türkiye’s ambition to increase trade exchange with Iraq to $30 billion. Bolat also highlighted the significant contributions of Turkish companies and investors in Iraq, with completed projects valued at $35 billion.

The two nations are actively working to strengthen their economic ties, with Bolat confirming that agreements have been reached to further enhance trade exchange. This partnership underscores the shared vision of fostering economic growth and regional stability. (ILKHA)