ANKARA - Iraqi Minister of Trade Muhammad Mahdi al-Salih said on Friday that fixing of oil exportation prices afterwards, within the framework of the U.N. implementation, negatively effected foreign trade of his country.
Al-Salih, currently in Turkey to participate in 71th Izmir International Fair which will inaugurate on Monday, visited State Minister Tunca Toskay.
Speaking at the meeting, Al-Salih said their daily 2 million 250 thousand barrels of oil exportation could reduce one million barrels from time to time because of the negative elements in pricing.
Al-Salih said daily exportation could increase to six million barrels in case embargo was lifted, noting that pricing was determined one month after exportation, and that this negatively affected number of purchasers.
Recalling that price fixing was discussed in the U.N. Security Council, the Iraqi Minister said existing implementation negatively affected Iraq's export revenue and importation.
Al-Salih conveyed their desire to hold long term and lasting joint projects with Turkey.
Toskay in his part said the Iraqi minister would meet various private sector companies in Istanbul and Izmir noting that this would contribute improvement of relations with Iraq.
Pointing out that Iraq's daily oil production decreased because of pricing and various difficulties, Toskay said this reduced export revenue.
''Reduction in their income negatively affects our exportation. We are one of the best countries in Iraqi market. Despite this, there is a regression in our exportation. This stems from regression in oil export revenues of Iraq.'' Toskay said.
Responding to a question, Toskay said any operation against Iraq would negatively affect relations between Turkey and Iraq, and noted that, ''in the past three years, a very serious relationship was established with Iraq based on confidence. We have concerns that we will receive damage in case a war erupts there. Our tourism and exportation will be negatively affected. Turkey, recently, has undertook projects worth of 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in Iraq. All those will stop. This is more important than exportation as it provides continuity.''
The Iraqi minister will proceed to Istanbul on Saturday to meet businessmen and exporters.