Turkey did $16 billion in trade with Iraq in 2013, Erdogan said in a joint press conference with Salih.
“Let’s increase it to $20 billion. We want to keep it at this level or even double it. We have the power to do this. The Turkish private sector is capable of revitalizing the Iraqi economy,” he said.
Baghdad is eager for foreign investment and aid to help rebuild the country after years of war, a feat that will cost an estimated $88 billion. Donors pledged $30 billion at a Kuwait summit in February, though most of the pledges are still unfulfilled.
And with oil prices weak, Baghdad is struggling to fund its hundreds of delayed projects.
Salih said he would welcome working with Turkey, stressing friendship between the neighbouring nations.
“Iraq looks forward to strategic partnership and cooperation with Turkey,” he said, calling for a comprehensive agreement to address shared problems.
Related: In pictures: Iraqi president Salih's official visit to Turkey
For Salih, water is of particular concern. This matter should be solved “before it causes a problem between the leaderships of both countries,” he said.
Iraq is unprepared for a dramatic drop in the volume of water in the Tigris River once Turkey begins filling its massive Ilusu dam. The river was already at historic lows this summer with people in Baghdad able to walk between banks.
A decrease in the volume of the Tigris compounds Iraq’s water shortage problem that is affected by mismanagement, outdated irrigation methods, crumbling infrastructure, and climate change.
“We welcome President Erdogan’s suggestion to appoint a delegation to find a radical resolution to this issue,” said Salih.
Another issue for Erdogan is combatting terrorism.
“We can do many mutual things in military, trade, economy, and culture sectors. However, the most significant one is security. Terrorist organizations like ISIS, PKK, FETO threaten both Turkey and Iraq,” he said, adding he hopes Ankara and Baghdad can work together.
Turkey regularly conducts airstrikes in Iraqi and Kurdistan Region territory, targeting alleged positions of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Baghdad has condemned the violation of its sovereignty and civilian deaths in the airstrikes. It has so far, however, been unable to prevent Turkey’s military from crossing the border.
