Iraqi Kurdish delegation arrives in Turkey in bid to enhance trade relations

A delegation for Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) visited Turkey on Friday for an official visit, according to Kurdish media.

The delegation visited Ankara to discuss enhancing trade relations and border security between the Kurdistan region and Turkey, Kurdistan 24 reported.

As part of the meeting, high ranking Kurdish ministers and officials met with top Turkish officials and members of Turkey’s investment board.

“We discussed the means of expanding the trade exchange between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region,” the Chief of Staff to the Council of Ministers’ Presidency Omed Sabah –a delegation member - said in a press conference, according to Kurdistan 24.

“The Turks promised to facilitate the business-related procedures for Kurdistan Region’s companies and businessmen,” Sabah continued, stating the regions discussed “establishing several trade centres” on their border and opening “two additional border gates”.

Prime Minister of the Kurdistan region Masrour Barzani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in April in Istanbul to discuss strengthening bilateral ties, “with an emphasis on increasing cooperation on security in the region”, according to the KRG.

In the meeting, “both sides expressed their desire to increase cooperation in all fields, particularly in business and trade”, the KRG said.

Energy expert Howri Mansurbger argued that supporting the KRG is in Turkey’s national security interest during a forum held by the Kurdistan 24 Research and Survey Center and Al Sharq Forum think tank.

A KRG delegation also visited Baghdad earlier this month in a bid to resolve pending issues with the Iraqi federal government.

Following its arrival, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said that 90 per cent of disagreements with the northern Kurdistan region had been resolved.