Ankara, July 28 (SANA)Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğansaid Tuesday that Türkiye is working to transform its vision of establishing a “terror-free region” into reality, aiming for the region to be associated with development, prosperity, peace and stability rather than wars and conflicts.

“We are in close contact and dialogue with our Iraqi brothers to turnTürkiye‘s terror-free path and our vision of a terror-free region into a tangible reality,” Erdoğan said during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Ankara, according to Anadolu Agency.

Erdoğan said he discussed regional developments with al-Zaidi, particularly in Iran, Syria and Palestine, noting that Iraq is among the countries affected by the atmosphere of war and instability, and that its security and stability are inseparable from Türkiye’s security and internal situation.

The Turkish president affirmed Türkiye’s readiness to provide the defense industry products Iraq needs, and stressed that the Development Road Project — aimed at connecting theGulf regionto world markets through Iraqi and Turkish territory — has gained greater importance amid current developments.

Zaidi: Development Road is the ‘third river’

Al-Zaidi affirmed Iraq’s commitment to developing relations with Türkiye and announced the commencement of work on the strategic Development Road Project.

He described the project as “the third river” that will makeIraqand Türkiye a meeting point between East and West and contribute to maximizing their economic resources and multiplying oil flows.

Al-Zaidi said his visit included the conclusion of several contracts in energy, transport, education and water, with the government seeking to develop the relationship into a comprehensive partnership and brotherhood.

The Development Road Project is a major infrastructure initiative to create a 1,200-kilometer land and rail corridor linking Iraq’s Grand Faw Port in the south to the Turkish and European networks in the north, aiming to reduce shipping time between Asia and Europe and establish a new regional economic hub.

Bilateral trade between Türkiye and Iraq exceeded $20 billion in 2024, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to a $30 billion trade target. Erdoğan said the Iraq-Türkiye Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement was finalized the previous day, under which Iraq will supply Türkiye with 1 million barrels of oil per day, and that Turkish Petroleum has secured a partnership in Iraq’s Kirkuk production field.