Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 28 / Trend A.Taghiyeva /
The EU sanctions against Syria and Iran will deepen cooperation between Iraq and Turkey, two major partners of these countries in the region, experts believe.
Iran and Syria are the two largest economic partners of Iraq, so the sanctions against these countries will certainly influence the economy of Baghdad, director of Iraqi research centre Riyad Al-Gayim believes.
Iraq, however, can reduce this impact by expanding cooperation with Turkey, Mr Al-Gayim told Trend on Tuesday.
"The main product imported from Iran to Iraq, is crops. Iranian grain can be replaced by the Turkish," the expert said.
As for Turkey, Mr Al-Gayim said a major exporter of oil to Turkey is Iran. However, given the growing potential of oil production and exports from Iraq, we can assume that Iraq could partially replace Iranian oil in Turkey, Mr Al-Gayim said.
The expert also noted that there has been a sharp decline in trade of Syria with Turkey and Iraq, and it indicated decrease in dependence of Ankara and Baghdad on sanctions against Damascus.
The foreign ministers of 27 EU countries announced earlier a new package of sanctions against Syria, where anti-government demonstrations have continued for almost a year.
Restrictive measures have been introduced, particularly against the Central Bank of Syria and Syrian airlines.
The EU previously imposed an embargo on oil imports from Syria, and new investments in oil sector of this country, as well as a ban on arms supplies to Syria.
On Jan 23, the European Union imposed a ban on the import, purchase and transportation of Iranian oil and oil products as well as financial and insurance operations related to them. In addition, the ban was imposed on exports to Iran of petrochemical equipment, the transfer of relevant technologies, investment in Iranian oil sector companies and joint ventures.
Turkish analyst on Middle East politics Ismail Yasha believes the sanctions against Syria and Iran, will, of course, affect the economy of neighboring Turkey, however, this effect will not be so noticeable because of the strong and developed Turkish economy.
"Turkey since the first sanctions against Syria has been looking for ways to reduce dependence on the impact of sanctions. In particular, the country is looking for alternative ways of transit," Mr Yasha told Trend on Tuesday.
He said Turkey has already shown a desire to transit through Iraq or Jordan.
Earlier, Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said that in case of termination of cooperation with Syria, Turkey will carry out transit traffic through the territory of Iraq, and can also use the Suez Canal for shipping.
Mr Yasha noted Turkey has repeatedly stated that the EU sanctions against Iran's oil sector are not legally binding for Turkey as the country is not the EU member.
However, if the need arises, Turkey will be able to replace the oil supply from Iran by imports from Iraq, he said.