From water disputes to oil exports: Erdogan’s critical talks in Iraq

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit Baghdad on Monday, marking his first state visit to Iraq in over a decade. 

The visit, which comes against the backdrop of regional instability including the war in Gaza and tensions between Israel and Iran, is anticipated to focus on key issues such as water resources, oil exports, and regional security.

One of the critical topics for discussion is the management of water resources, a longstanding issue between the two nations. Iraq has voiced concerns over Turkish dams on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which significantly reduce the flow of water into Iraqi territory.

Another significant issue is the halt in oil exports from the Kurdistan region of Iraq, which has been non-operational for over a year due to technical problems and disputes. This cessation has resulted in substantial revenue losses for Iraq, estimated at over $14.8 billion.

Security will be a major focus, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Despite the presence of Turkish military bases in Iraqi Kurdistan for 25 years, the Iraqi Defense Minister has ruled out joint military operations against the PKK, although a joint intelligence coordination center is being considered.

The visit will also spotlight the "Development Route," an ambitious infrastructure project consisting of a 1,200 km road and railway corridor that aims to link the Gulf to Turkey through Iraq. 

This project is expected to strengthen economic ties between Iraq and Turkey, with Iraq being one of the top importers of Turkish goods.