Al-Sudani meets Azerbaijani FM, invites state oil company to invest in Iraq’s energy sector

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baghdad on Wednesday to discuss strengthening ties between the two countries, with a focus on energy cooperation, according to a statement from the prime minister’s media office.

Al-Sudani praised the role of Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, and invited it to invest in Iraq’s oil extraction sector. He said Iraq is working to expand its gas production and attract major international firms to develop the industry.

Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Wednesday, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Jeyhun Bayramov, accompanied by the Vice President of SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil and gas company.

The meeting discussed ways to strengthen constructive cooperation between Iraq and Azerbaijan across various fields, particularly in the energy sector. Prime Minister Al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to maintaining and advancing bilateral relations, and commended Azerbaijan’s supportive stance toward Iraq’s security and stability. He also emphasized the importance of activating several joint initiatives that would further solidify ties and serve the interests of both friendly nations.

The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s approach to establishing bilateral partnerships with Azerbaijan to implement oil sector projects. He noted Iraq’s investment opportunities in the energy field and praised SOCAR’s expertise, inviting the company to invest in oil extraction. He emphasized Iraq’s ongoing efforts in recent years to develop its gas production and attract leading international companies to invest in this vital sector.

The meeting also addressed regional developments. Prime Minister Al-Sudani reiterated Iraq’s rejection of the continued aggression against Gaza and Lebanon, and condemned the brutal crimes committed by the occupying entity against defenseless civilians and its policy of starvation amidst international silence. He emphasized Iraq’s balanced foreign policy and its efforts to support regional security and stability.

For his part, Minister Bayramov conveyed the greetings of the President of Azerbaijan to the Prime Minister and renewed the invitation for an official visit to Azerbaijan to advance bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Al-Sudani accepted the invitation pledging to visit Azerbaijan at the earliest opportunity. The Azerbaijani Foreign Minister also expressed his country’s keen interest in sustaining and expanding its relations with Iraq across all sectors.