U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani agreed during a call to expedite the reopening of the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline. This comes after a suspension of oil shipments caused significant economic damage. The leaders also discussed strategic partnerships, stability, and efforts against regional threats like ISIL.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani engaged in a discussion on Tuesday, agreeing to expedite the reopening of the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline as reported by the State Department. The officials emphasized Iraq’s need for energy independence and the prompt resumption of the pipeline operations while ensuring adherence to contractual obligations for American companies operating in Iraq, aimed at encouraging further investments.
The halting of oil shipments from Iraq to Ceyhan Port on March 25, 2023, followed a ruling by the Paris-based International Court of Arbitration regarding oil export agreements between Türkiye and Iraq. This interruption is estimated to have caused over $23 billion in economic losses for Iraq.
During their conversation, Rubio and Al-Sudani reviewed the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq, highlighting the significance of Iraq’s stability and sovereignty. They also addressed the necessity of diminishing Iranian influence in the region and combating the threats posed by ISIL (Daesh).
Additionally, Secretary Rubio underscored the importance of preventing Syria from becoming a sanctuary for terrorism and a potential threat to neighboring nations. The dialogue reaffirmed the intent to enhance diplomatic communications and deepen cooperation across various sectors between the two countries and assessed ongoing collaborative efforts.
The call between Secretary Rubio and Prime Minister al-Sudani marks a pivotal step towards restoring full operations of the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline, crucial for Iraq’s economic recovery and energy independence. Their discussions also reaffirmed the importance of strategic cooperation between the United States and Iraq, focusing on regional stability and the fight against terrorism.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
