“We will turn the Development Road project into the new ‘Silk Road’ of our region”

 

Holding a joint press conference with Prime Minister Al-Sudani of Iraq, President Erdoğan said: “We have emphasized our determination to work together to realize the ‘Development Road’ project aimed at establishing a land and rail road transportation corridor stretching from Basra to Türkiye’s border. With the ‘Ankara Memorandum’ we have adopted, we have taken a critical step that shows our determination to jointly work to that end. The Development Road is a project of high strategic importance for the entire region as well as for Türkiye and Iraq.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani of Iraq held a joint press conference following their tête-à-tête and the meeting between the delegations at the Presidential Complex.

Commencing his speech by voicing his pleasure over hosting Prime Minister Al-Sudani of Iraq and his delegation in Ankara, President Erdoğan said: “I would like to thank once again the Iraqi people and government for the solidarity they have displayed in our efforts to cope with the earthquake disaster. We see this visit as a sign of the Iraqi people’s friendship.”

“DEVELOPMENT ROAD IS A PROJECT OF HIGH STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE FOR THE ENTIRE REGION”

Underscoring that they, by joining forces as the state and the nation, and with the support of friendly and brotherly countries, would heal the wounds of the earthquakes and remove the traces of the disaster in a short span of time, President Erdoğan noted: “During our meeting, I and Mr. Prime Minister have addressed all aspects of our bilateral relations. We have reiterated our determination for an all-out fight against terror in all its forms.”

“We have emphasized our determination to work together to realize the ‘Development Road’ project aimed at establishing a land and rail road transportation corridor stretching from Basra to Türkiye’s border,” President Erdoğan stressed, and added: “With the ‘Ankara Memorandum’ we have adopted, we have taken a critical step that shows our determination to jointly work to that end. The Development Road is a project of high strategic importance for the entire region as well as for Türkiye and Iraq.”

Underscoring that millions of people in a vast geography, from Europe to the Gulf region, would benefit the added value that would arise with the establishment of this road, President Erdoğan went on to say: “We know that other brotherly countries take a close interest, too, in this project that will strengthen the regional cooperation, enhance our trade and consolidate our social relations. I believe that we will inshallah turn the Development Road project into the new ‘Silk Road’ of our region with their contributions as well.”