It seems like agreement has replaced the political and economic tensions that existed between the Northern Iraq Regional Administration and the Iraqi central government. The coming together of Baghdad and Arbil at the Atlantic Council Energy and Economic Summit in Istanbul following their talks on energy helped their relationship take another step forward.
Alongside these developments, Turkey’s viewpoint on the future and with regard to both administrations is clearly shown through Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu’s contacts in both Baghdad and Arbil during his visit to Iraq.
The Baghdad administration was upset with Turkey’s purchase of Kurdish oil and the access to foreign markets provided via Turkey for that oil, following an agreement in May with the Northern Iraq Regional Administration. Turkey, however, always stated that all revenue obtained from oil sales would be shared with both sides on the basis of existing agreements between them and continues to determinedly display this stance.
As a result, we can see from the point that has been reached, that the search for a solution by both sides and the attempt to find a middle road would not have been possible without Turkey.
TURKEY THE GUARANTOR COUNTRY FOR IRAQI ENERGY PEACE
There are many reasons for the actors in the Iraqi administration viewing Turkey as a core country. Reasons such as Turkey’s emphasis on the representation of all segments in Iraq in the post-occupation period, and the vital role it undertook to rebuild the country with it commercial and business relationships.
It is accepted that Iraq’s wealth is its oil and it ranks 5th in the world amongst countries with proven oil reserves. Turkey plays a key role in facilitating access to foreign markets for this oil, which is also the reason for chaos in the region. Regardless of which region of Iraq the oil is extracted from, since Turkey is the destination country for the oil it is unlikely that either Arbil or Baghdad will seek a solution that excludes Turkey.
Prime Minister Davutoğlu’s visit to both the Northern Iraq Regional Administration and the Iraqi central government during the same trip is also a clear sign that Turkey is the guarantor country for Iraq’s energy-based peace. Turkey’s effectiveness is increased in the search for a solution as a result of the actors in the Iraqi administration being aware of the various sources of oil in the country and looking to establish an energy-based peace as the fundamental step toward economic and political stability.
This is because Turkey has been proved right given the stage that has now been reached in the process that started with the sale of Kurdish oil to Turkey in May.
The role played by Turkey in the efforts being made by both sides for an agreement is evidence of Turkey’s increasing economic and political clout in the Middle East. Turkey, which took risks in seeking a solution, will continue to remain an economic and political actor in the region despite having faced attempts to force it to change its position on Iraq through various impediments both domestically and externally.
AFRICA NOT DISTANT ANY LONGER
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Africa and North Africa while Prime Minister Davutoğlu was in Iraq. The presence of Turkey in Africa, which was ignored for years and has been newly rediscovered by the entire world, should help strengthen economic and commercial ties with that region.
The love and warmth displayed toward Turkey in Africa is the best example of how geographical distance is meaningless when it comes to relationships between countries. Also, the love for President Erdoğan in North African countries surpasses the love felt for just any leader.
The economic and political transformation witnessed in Turkey after 2002 is an example for many countries, just like it is for North African countries. Turkey’s rise to its position of being a core country and one that determines its own direction following years as a country whose political and economic direction was directed by others, will make it a pioneer for new countries coming to the fore in the new economic order.
A large part of this is due to Turkey’s policy during the last 12 years of looking outward, not restricting itself to just one region, and its attempt to establish relations with all countries in the world. This policy provided many economic and political advantages for the country. The best example in this regard is its increase in commerce with the Middle East, Africa and North Africa to compensate for the decline in commerce with European Union countries in the wake of the global economic crisis of 2008.
On the other hand, new markets and new relationships and partnerships were vital in increasing Turkey’s prestige and economic strength in the international arena. The reaching of political agreements, which are linked to economic cooperation, partnerships and agreements, will help maintain Turkey’s position as a core country in the long term.
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