15.02.2025 10:21
The "Development Road Project," which stands out as the shortest project connecting the Persian Gulf to Europe, has excited the citizens of Şırnak. The people of Ovaköy, a district of Silopi located at the intersection of the borders of Iraq and Syria, expressed that they have been waiting for the project for years.
```html
On April 22, 2024, during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to Iraq, the transport ministers of Turkey, Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came together. A quadrilateral cooperation memorandum was signed by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Iraqi Minister of Transport Rezzak Muheybes es-Sadavi, Qatari Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim bin Saif es-Sulayti, and UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazrouei regarding the Development Road Project, which will extend from the Persian Gulf to England.
WILL MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE REGIONAL ECONOMY The project, which has a cost of 17 billion dollars, will start from the Fav Port in Iraq's Basra province and pass through Ovaköy in the Silopi district of Şırnak, which borders two countries, connecting the Arabian Gulf to Europe. The local population is eagerly awaiting the start of the project. The project, which includes both road and rail, is expected to make a significant contribution to both the regional and national economy.
THE VILLAGERS ARE EAGERLY AWAITING Ovaköy, one of the important legs of the Development Road, which Turkey, Iraq, the UAE, and Qatar have signed an agreement on, is located 15 kilometers away from the Habur Border Gate and at the intersection of the Turkey-Iraq-Syria borders. Villagers eagerly awaiting the opening of the second border gate spoke to İhlas News Agency (IHA). Economist Mesut Balta stated that the opening of a new border gate in Ovaköy would act as a catalyst for both the region's development and the establishment of an industrial movement in the area, saying, "The economic impacts of a second border gate will be quite positive for our country, our region, and our province in every aspect. This will positively affect the development of foreign trade and the access to various markets. Currently, there are already some issues and inadequacies at the Habur Border Gate. It is evident that this new border gate will have a strategic position in overcoming these technical problems and in terms of the country's imports and exports. Therefore, it is crucial to significantly increase efforts regarding the opening and functionality of this border gate, and to take quicker initiatives in this regard, especially for the operationalization of this strategic border gate. Thus, it is clear that this border gate will also act as a catalyst for both the region's development and the establishment of an industrial movement in the area. We, as the local population, support the opening and functionality of such a border gate," he expressed.
"IT WILL BE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR HOMELAND" Ovaköy Muhtar Raşit Uçar stated that the new border gate to be opened in Ovaköy will provide significant contributions to both the region and the national economy, saying, "We all believe and expect that the passage of the Development Road through our village, as well as the passage of the highway and railway, will greatly benefit our region and our nation. I am sure that good things will happen. They say good things will happen, and we are eagerly waiting. I am confident that it will provide great benefits to our village, our region, and our country. Because the Habur Border Gate can no longer handle the traffic. We see the crowd of drivers every day. I hope it will relieve the situation even a little. It will be a great contribution to our homeland. The whole country is working on Habur. Everyone knows and sees that it is necessary and important. The Development Road will contribute significantly to investments. As you can see, our entire village is a plain. If a second gate is opened, businesses, customs areas, and thousands of people will earn a living," he said.
"WE THANK EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTES" Serhat Uçar, one of the residents of Ovaköy, said, "We have been waiting for this project for years. We are expecting good things. I hope the Development Road will provide us with great support. We have been waiting for years, and finally, a concrete step has been taken. I hope good things will happen in our region. We will experience good things in livestock, agriculture, and trade. We are waiting for it to happen as soon as possible. We thank everyone who contributes. We are eagerly waiting," he said.
```