France, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, has endorsed the Erbil-Baghdad oil agreement, signaling strong international support. Ambassador Patrick Durel praised the deal as serving the common good.
In a statement, Ambassador Durel said, “I welcome the agreement announced by the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government on the resumption of oil exports produced in the autonomous region. The implementation of this agreement is in everyone’s interest.”
The announcement follows international recognition of the agreement, which allows exports through the Iraq–Turkey pipeline to resume after nearly 30 months. The British Embassy in Baghdad and the British Consulate General in Erbil called the tripartite deal “historic.” They added that it could strengthen investment and bring greater prosperity for all Iraqis.
The United States Department of State also welcomed the development. Washington emphasized its role in facilitating the agreement and noted that it will provide tangible benefits for both Americans and Iraqis.
Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani described the agreement as the “result of tireless efforts and months of negotiation by teams on all sides.” Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani called it a breakthrough that will restore oil flows through the Ceyhan pipeline.
The KRG Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed that exports would resume within 48 hours. This ends a protracted suspension that started in March 2023 after an international arbitration ruling halted shipments without Baghdad’s approval. The stoppage had deprived both Erbil and Baghdad of critical revenues, increasing fiscal strain and weakening Iraq’s position in international energy markets.
The resumption of exports under the Erbil-Baghdad oil agreement is expected to ease budget pressures, attract foreign investment, and reaffirm Iraq as a reliable global oil supplier. Analysts said the deal demonstrates the Kurdistan Region’s strategic role in stabilizing energy markets and improving Iraq’s diplomatic and economic standing.
With endorsements from Paris, London, and Washington, the Erbil-Baghdad oil agreement reflects not only successful negotiations but also recognition of the region’s energy sector as vital for both national and international interests.