Imminent ministerial-level visits to Baghdad and Ankara are likely to address major challenges to restarting Iraq’s northern exports.

Iraq and Turkey are planning to trade ministerial-level diplomatic visits next week, as negotiations continue over reopening the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (ITP) that has been shut since March following an international tribunal ruling.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will visit Baghdad and Erbil on Aug. 23 and 24, according to four Iraqi officials, while Iraqi Oil Minister Hayyan Abdulghani is scheduled to travel to Ankara "early next week," according to an Oil Ministry official.