MESOP LATEST : Turkish Energy Minister: we want to mediate Erbil & Baghdad

20.05.2014 – Yildiz Chelik – BasNews,Turkey – Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told BasNews that if the oil dispute between Baghdad and Erbil needs a referee they are ready to play the role by using triple negotiation mechanisms: ‘Baghdad-Erbil-Ankara’.

The minister explained that they are currently waiting for an answer from both Erbil and Baghdad officials regarding this negotiation. Despite the dispute over Kurdish oil export to Turkey between the Kurdistan Region and the Federal Government of Iraq 2,500,000 Kurdish oil barrels have already been accumulated in Cihan port, Turkey of which 1,500,000 oil barrels have been sold in Europe on the oil market.  

Regarding Turkey’s share following a potential agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, Yildiz explained that Turkey will always be ready to export Iraq’s oil in order to help increase Iraq’s revenue. ‘Turkey has invested in Iraq in various fields that have created job opportunities in Turkey too. There is no longer separation between national and external wealth. What is necessary here is the right work and right money,’ said Yildiz. In regards to the Kirkuk-Turkey oil pipeline revenues, Yildiz noted that if the pipeline works, Turkey will get US $500 million which is a very important income for Turkey.