Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for a visit aimed at strengthening the historical relationship between Iraq and Türkiye. During a joint news conference following their bilateral meeting, al-Zaidi emphasized that the trip was intended to foster deeper cooperation rather than merely fulfilling diplomatic protocol.
"Our visit is not merely a matter of protocol, but a sign of strengthening relations that date back centuries," al-Zaidi stated. He noted that Iraq is seeking a partnership built on "brotherhood" with its neighbor, with a primary focus on the Development Road Project. This major infrastructure initiative is designed to link the Gulf with global markets through Iraq.
Describing the potential impact of the infrastructure plan, al-Zaidi remarked, "Geography has naturally given us two rivers. Now we want a third river. Let this be a river of economy, and that, of course, is the Development Road." He highlighted the project as a key symbol of the ongoing economic collaboration between the two nations.
Prior to the discussions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held an official welcoming ceremony for al-Zaidi at the Presidential Complex. The event was attended by a high-level delegation of Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defence Minister Yasar Guler, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin, and the president’s chief foreign policy and security adviser, Akif Cagatay Kilic.
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