Turkey Stands Firm on Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Agreement

Turkey is unwilling to extend the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement under current terms. Despite Baghdad requesting a one-year extension for negotiations, Turkey wants to avoid prolonging an agreement marred by past arbitration. Discussions continue as the existing agreement nears its expiration on July 27.

Turkey has expressed its reluctance to prolong the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline agreement under existing conditions, despite an appeal from Baghdad for a one-year extension to facilitate further negotiations.

The Turkey-Iraq Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement, which has been pivotal for oil exports, is set to expire on July 27. Both parties remain in discussions over a potential new draft agreement that could replace it.

A senior Turkish official, choosing to remain anonymous, stated, "There is no point in extending an agreement that has been subject to arbitration," highlighting Turkey's stance on avoiding past disputes.