T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Consul General in Erbil, Erman Top\u00e7u, announced during Turkish Cuisine Week that flights disrupted due to regional tensions have returned to normal and that Turkish airlines will increase their services from Erbil.<\/p>\n
The Turkish Consulate General in Erbil organized a \u201cTurkish Cuisine Week\u201d event at the Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Ottomare.<\/p>\n
Top\u00e7u also drew attention to the decline in trade volume at the Ibrahim Khalil Border Gate, emphasizing that Erbil and Baghdad urgently need to reach an agreement on the customs system.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the impact of tensions with Iran on airspace operations and the latest situation regarding flights from the Kurdistan Region to T\u00fcrkiye, Consul General Top\u00e7u stated that the developments at the time had caused devastating consequences.<\/p>\n
Recalling that airlines had been forced to suspend operations due to the closure of airspace, Top\u00e7u said that civil aviation has now returned to normal:<\/p>\n
\u201cThankfully, Turkish Airlines (THY), Pegasus Airlines, and AJet have resumed flights from Erbil to Istanbul. THY and Pegasus are operating daily flights. Starting June 2, THY will also launch a second daily flight. Although some drone attacks remain somewhat concerning for all airlines, flights are currently continuing safely on a daily basis.\u201d<\/p>\n
Traffic Declines at the World\u2019s Second-Busiest Border Crossing<\/p>\n
Responding to questions about border trade and the active use of border crossings, Top\u00e7u stressed that resolving customs disputes between the Kurdistan Region and the Iraqi Federal Government is a prerequisite for improving trade relations.\nHe stated that an agreement must be reached regarding the ASYCUDA automation system and customs regulations, while also highlighting the strategic importance of the Ibrahim Khalil (Habur) Border Gate.<\/p>\n
Pointing out that the Ibrahim Khalil Border Gate is the world\u2019s second-busiest land crossing after the U.S.-Mexico border, Top\u00e7u said:<\/p>\n
\u0130brahim Halil S\u0131n\u0131r Kap\u0131s\u0131’n\u0131n ABD-Meksika s\u0131n\u0131r\u0131ndan sonra d\u00fcnyadaki en yo\u011fun ikinci kara ge\u00e7i\u015f noktas\u0131 oldu\u011funu belirten Top\u00e7u, “G\u00fcmr\u00fck tart\u0131\u015fmalar\u0131 nedeniyle \u015fu an t\u0131r trafi\u011fi epeyce azalm\u0131\u015f durumda. Rakamlar \u00e7ok d\u00fc\u015f\u00fck” dedi.<\/p>\n
Emphasizing the importance of an agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, Top\u00e7u added:\n\u201cWe are delivering the same message to both Baghdad and Erbil and encouraging them on this matter. We know that the negotiations have reached a positive stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou Cannot Stop the Flow of Money and Trade\u201d<\/p>\n
Consul General Erman Top\u00e7u also noted that regional economic dynamics are changing. With Syria re-entering the regional equation, he emphasized that the issue is no longer limited to political and security dimensions but also affects economic corridors. Highlighting the flexibility of trade routes, Top\u00e7u concluded:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen companies encounter obstacles and embargoes, they look for alternative routes. You cannot stop the flow of money. Considering the recent developments in Iran, it is critically important for Erbil and Baghdad to reach an agreement that allows trade to continue and ensures that this corridor functions without interruption.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source: https:\/\/www.rudaw.net\/turkish\/middleeast\/turkey\/2005202620<\/a><\/p>\n