Foreign Ministry: The imminent resumption of oil exports through Ceyhan, and the Turkish elections w

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[size=52]Foreign Ministry: The imminent resumption of oil exports through Ceyhan, and the Turkish elections will not hinder bilateral relations[/size]

[size=45]Translated by: Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein ruled out the impact of the results of the Turkish elections that will take place today, Sunday, on the relations between the two countries, expecting the imminent resumption of Iraqi oil exports through the port of Ceyhan, expressing his aspiration to expand communication with the United States of America and not only include the military aspects.[/size]
[size=45]“Turkey has been a strategic and vital partner for Iraq on all levels, political, economic and security, and we hope and expect that this relationship will continue regardless of the outcome of the elections,” Hussein said, according to a report by Al-Monitor, translated by Al-Mada.[/size]
[size=45]And the report added, "The Turks will cast their votes today, Sunday, in a highly competitive electoral race between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the opposition leader's presidential candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein added, "The Turkish elections are an internal matter, and we have our differences and challenges, as happens between many neighboring countries, and we expect Turkey, as is the case with all countries, to respect Iraq's sovereignty."[/size]
[size=45]The report pointed out, "The Minister of Foreign Affairs refers in part of his speech to the Turkish military operations that it launches across the border from time to time, targeting sites of the PKK groups in northern Iraq, which lead to civilian casualties."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein explained, "Iraq will deal with Turkey, and we will continue to deal with them on all issues through diplomatic and political channels."[/size]
[size=45]Regarding Iraqi oil exports through the Turkish port of Ceyhan, which came according to the agreement between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to resume exports from the region under the supervision of the Oil Marketing Company SOMO, Hussein expected that “the resumption of oil exports through Turkey will begin as soon as possible.”[/size]
[size=45]Hussein spoke about "the imminent completion of the Iraq agreement deal with the French Total company, worth $27 billion and supported by Washington," and considered this capacity as "complete and has a significant impact on Iraq."[/size]
[size=45]And the report continues, "This agreement will be the largest foreign investment in Iraq in decades, under which a huge expansion will take place in the oil and gas industry, as well as the solar energy and water project."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein stated, "The investment of (Total) will help change the character of the Iraqi economy from being an oil-producing country to a gas-producing country as well, and when we are satisfied with our need for gas internally, this will end our dependence on the gas we import to operate power stations."[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, "Iraq is still dependent on Iran to meet its gas needs to operate power plants."[/size]
[size=45]The report added, “Baghdad also signed a project to connect the electricity network with the Gulf Cooperation Council in February of this year, at a value of $220 million.”[/size]
[size=45]Hussein went on to say, "The (Total) deal is also considered an enhancement of environmental conditions, climate change policy, and the health aspect, as it will contribute to ending the flaring and manufacturing of associated gas, which is a source of environmental pollution in Iraq."[/size]
[size=45]And the report continued, "The country views its role in achieving a balance in its interests with neighboring countries in the region as it enhances regional stability in a broader manner and has a positive impact on the Iraqi political and social side."[/size]
[size=45]And the report stated, “Iraq had hosted meetings in Baghdad that brought together Iranian and Saudi officials that began since the administration of former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, which eventually led to the declaration of rapprochement in March, following Chinese mediation.”[/size]
[size=45]Hussein believed, "Iraq can play an important role in building bridges and rapprochement of relations, and we have done a great job in this field."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein pointed out that "some countries reach an agreement in another place, but in the end, the discussions and the roots of solving the problem often pass through Iraq." Hussein spoke about "Iraq's endeavor to support a dialogue that eases tension between the United States and Iran, and that Iraq feels this tension and is paying the price." When asked about whether Iraq continues to play a role in transmitting messages between Tehran and Washington, Hussein replied, "Iraq is in communication between the two sides."[/size]
[size=45]And Hussein added, "With regard to ways to ease these tensions, we are ready to help if we are asked to do so, but the matter and the decision is up to them, regarding the role that Iraq can play outside this scope."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein stressed, "Intensive coordination between Iraq, Jordan and Egypt on the one hand, and with the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council on the other hand."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein added, "This coordination had a great impact on the regional and international situation, and what resulted in coordination on Syria and benefits for the internal political situation as well."[/size]
[size=45]The report stated, "Iraq had played a major role in the process of Syria's return to the Arab League."[/size]
[size=45]The report notes that “Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein was among four Arab foreign ministers, from Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, who met with his Syrian counterpart on May 1 in Amman to set a path for Syria’s return to the Arab League.”[/size]
[size=45]The report stressed that “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia extended an invitation to President Bashar al-Assad to attend the Arab League summit, which will be held in Jeddah on May 19.”[/size]
[size=45]Hussein stated, "Iraq is an open society, when the region is stable, this will have a positive impact on us."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein explained, “Any tension that occurs in the region is reflected politically in Iraq, and for this reason there is an interdependence between our internal political and security situation and the security situation in the region. This stability provides a kind of guarantee.”[/size]
[size=45]Hussein continued, "Our relations with the United States are not limited to military and security cooperation only. We are in the process of expanding the scope of this cooperation to focus more on the economic, cultural, health, energy, and banking system aspects."[/size]
[size=45]Hussein went on to say that “all these sectors contribute to strengthening a stronger relationship with the United States.”[/size]
[size=45]Hussein had stressed, during his participation in the ministerial meeting held last week in the Arab League, the necessity of full respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and non-interference in its internal affairs, and that the current crisis be dealt with as an internal Sudanese matter.[/size]
[size=45]Hussein pointed out the importance of "preserving the Sudanese national state institutions and preventing their collapse, and preventing any external interference in Sudanese affairs in order to avoid fueling conflict and threatening regional peace and security."[/size]
[size=45]About (Al-Monitor)[/size]
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