Iraq, Qatar, UAE, Türkiye unite for connecting Persian Gulf to Europe
Quadrilateral MoU inked
WORLD 23 April 2024 - 11:49
The Turkish president's ongoing visit to Iraq has given a boost the Development Road project that would connect the Persian Gulf to Europe via Türkiye, amid close collaboration between Ankara and Baghdad.
Under the auspices of the Turkish president and Iraqi premier, a quadrilateral memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation in the Development Road project was signed between Iraq, Türkiye, Qatar, UAE on April 22, according to TRT World.
"I believe that my visit and agreements just signed will constitute new turning point in Türkiye-Iraq relations," Erdogan said.
The project is a critical agenda item during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Baghdad and Erbil after 13 years.
The relations between Türkiye and Iraq are solidifying with recent high-level visits. The construction of the Grand Faw Port in Basra, southern Iraq, aiming to be the largest port in the Middle East and scheduled for completion in 2025, is underway at full speed.
The port, which is part of the first phase of the Development Road project, is located at the mouth of the Shatt al Arab, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers converge before flowing into the sea.
New gateway for regional trade
The project encompasses railway and highway lines extending from the port through the cities of Diwaniyah, Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad, and Mosul to the Turkish border, aiming to provide access from the Turkish border to Mersin Port and onward to Europe via Istanbul by road.
Italian company PEG Infrastructure is responsible for the design of the route traversed by the project, which will enter Türkiye via Ovakoy after Mosul.
Connecting the Grand Faw Port to the Turkish border with a 1200-kilometre railway and highways, the project will open a new gateway for regional trade.
Through the project, Iraq and Türkiye aim to reduce travel time between Asia and Europe and become transit hubs.
Expecting to surpass the 67-berth Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, known as the largest container port in the Middle East, the Grand Faw Port with its capacity of 90 berths is planned to be completed by 2025.
Potential business opportunities
The Development Road project, reaching from the port to the Turkish border, is seen as an alternative option in possible regional conflicts or wars since China's Silk Road does not pass directly through Iraq.
Upon completion of the project, it is estimated that shipments that currently take approximately 45 days from the Cape of Good Hope and around 35 days from the Red Sea could be completed in just 25 days.
Incorporating highways, railways, energy transmission, and communication lines and planned to be completed in three stages set for 2028, 2033, and 2050, the project will influence a vast region from Europe to the Gulf countries.
While the trade volume between Türkiye and Iraq has exceeded $24 billion, the potential business opportunities offered by the project are promising, and upon its completion, all stakeholders are expected to reap significant economic benefits.
Caliber.Az
1
|
Critical F-35 upgrade deferred, 2024 production slashed by 27-50%
01 May 2024 - 09:05
|
2
|
Factory burst into flames in Germany PHOTO / VIDEO
03 May 2024 - 16:19
|
3
|
EU aid to Armenia stalled as Hungary pushes for Azerbaijan's inclusion Geopolitical tensions revealed
02 May 2024 - 17:41
|
4
|
BRICS de-dollarization threatens US economy, JP Morgan CEO predicts
01 May 2024 - 20:49
|
5
|
Turning point for Georgia - Foreign Agents Law Georgian experts’ views for Caliber.Az
02 May 2024 - 12:40
|
Bosnia accuses Israeli diplomat of genocide denial
"Disgrace to diplomacy"03 May 2024 - 23:01
Traffic accident leaves one dead in Azerbaijan’s Kalbajar
03 May 2024 - 21:07
Azertac hosts 31st meeting of CIS state news agencies, focuses on cooperation & future initiatives
03 May 2024 - 20:55
Azerbaijan, Russia hold negotiations on development of transport cooperation
03 May 2024 - 20:51
Japan, US, Australia, Philippines agree on rules-based Indo-Pacific
03 May 2024 - 20:36
Azerbaijan’s Aghdam holds special session within sixth World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue
03 May 2024 - 20:21
Armenian top prosecutor seeks investigation of premier over border delimitation
03 May 2024 - 20:15
Pro-Armenian Senator Menendez pretends to be crazy
He fears of not having enough money03 May 2024 - 20:06
SOCAR to join UN Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 program, says department head
03 May 2024 - 19:58
Azerbaijani, Russian deputy PMs discuss trade, economic issues
03 May 2024 - 19:51
Azerbaijan seeks cinema sector collaboration with Italy, says culture minister
03 May 2024 - 19:45
Italy to send latest package of military aid to Ukraine before G7 summit in June
03 May 2024 - 19:36
Russian leader plans to meet Xi in China days after his new term starts
03 May 2024 - 19:21
The Guardian: Preparation for COP29 underway
03 May 2024 - 19:06
UK’s Defence Ministry: Ukraine demonstrates ability to strike much further into Russia
03 May 2024 - 18:51
Azerbaijani minister, EC chief mull EU partnership in COP29 framework
03 May 2024 - 18:45
Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia strengthening energy partnership
PHOTO03 May 2024 - 18:36
European Commission's rep: COP29 in Azerbaijan - recognition of activity in renewable energy sources
03 May 2024 - 18:21
Turkish airstrikes eliminate 32 PKK terrorists in Iraq
03 May 2024 - 18:06
Yemeni Ansar Allah movement’s leader announces preparation for new round of escalation
03 May 2024 - 17:41
MFA: Media in Azerbaijan as free as in UK
03 May 2024 - 17:26
Profiling Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan – Tavush region protest leader
03 May 2024 - 17:20
Will Azerbaijan's diplomatic efforts bring change?
UNESCO's crucial crossroad03 May 2024 - 17:13
Kazakhstan steps in bridging Armenia-Azerbaijan divide
03 May 2024 - 17:11
Future of engine transition - hydrogen or electricity?
Caliber.Az on YouTube03 May 2024 - 17:05
Transit traffic through Azerbaijan increases 3 times
03 May 2024 - 16:56
US-Japan missile development project to cost over $3 billion
03 May 2024 - 16:37
Factory burst into flames in Germany
PHOTO / VIDEO03 May 2024 - 16:19
Senators meet with International Criminal Court’s reps over concerns about possible Israel arrest warrants
03 May 2024 - 16:04
Tensions escalate over Georgia’s law on foreign agents
Political crisis deepens03 May 2024 - 16:00
Taliban plan regional energy trade hub with Russian oil in mind
03 May 2024 - 15:49
bp investments in Azerbaijan reach $85 billion
03 May 2024 - 15:34
EU ambassador: Mine clearance - one of priorities for Azerbaijan
03 May 2024 - 15:19
G7 draws up plans to backstop debt-raising for Ukraine with Russian assets
03 May 2024 - 15:04
Climate Change Director: ADB holding talks with Azerbaijan to support COP29
03 May 2024 - 14:49
bp opens ICT laboratory in Azerbaijan
03 May 2024 - 14:34
France, Japan to start talks on reciprocal troops pact
03 May 2024 - 14:34
Azerbaijani foreign minister travels to Gambia for 15th Islamic Summit
03 May 2024 - 14:25
US and Saudi Arabia nearing agreement on security pact, sources say
03 May 2024 - 14:19
Azerbaijani deputy defense minister visits Iran
03 May 2024 - 14:10