Turkey, Iraq bypass Kurds in oil deal

ANKARA, Turkey April 25 (UPI) -- Turkish officials say meetings with Iraqi leaders last week included new oil export deals with Baghdad, bypassing Iraqi Kurds.

Turkey threatened to stop exporting needed fuel products to Iraq after Baghdad told Ankara it would have to deal with the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding shipments. Kurdistan, like the rest of Iraq, faces a shortage of transportation, cooking and heating fuels.

"Iraqis clearly understood that it is not possible for them to meet their needs of oil products without Turkey," Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen said after the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Organization said it would retake control over shipment negotiations.

Read the rest at UPI

Related Link:
Ministry: Central government only negotiator for Kurdish-area oil deals with Turkey

Related Link:
Tensions mount as Turkey warns Iraq not to involve Iraqi Kurdish administration in oil trade