Uraloglu told Turkish state media (TRT) that the summit is set to take place in Istanbul on August 29.
The Development Road project will extend from southern Iraq to the Turkish border, connecting the Persian Gulf with Turkey. It is expected to enhance Iraq’s geopolitical position, boost the economy, and create over 100,000 job opportunities.
“[T]he details of the Development Road Project will be discussed at the summit, and significant decisions will be made,” Uraloglu told TRT.
In April, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Iraq and met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. The two sides signed several memoranda of understanding (MoUs), including an agreement to kickstart the Development Road together with the transport ministers of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who are also part of the deal.
In a joint press conference following his meeting with Erdogan, Sudani said that the MoUs were signed in different sectors, describing them as a “roadmap for sustainable cooperation” in all aspects. The key agreements that emerged from the meeting are those related to the Development Road, security, and water issues.
Earlier this month, the Iraqi transportation ministry spokesperson Maytham al-Safi told Rudaw that Baghdad aims to speed up the Development Road project, stating that the initial design of the road will be completed in September.
An Italian company has served as a consultant, while a Turkish firm has handled land surveying and inspection, the spokesperson said.
The highway part of the project will stretch 1,131 kilometers and the railway 1,201 kilometers.
The project is expected to cost $17 billion. The first phase is slated for completion by 2028, with the second and third phases expected to finish in 2033 and 2050, respectively.
