Iraq and Turkmenistan reach initial agreement on gas imports

BAGHDAD, August 24 — Iraq’s Ministry of Oil announced on Thursday that had reached a preliminary agreement with Turkmenistan on gas imports to meet the needs of power stations. The Ministry indicated that the agreement is expected to be finalized by the end of this year.

A statement from the Ministry quoted the Deputy Minister of Oil for Gas Affairs Azat Saber who affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in the gas sector with friendly countries, including Turkmenistan.

Saber stated that a high-level government delegation held meetings with officials from the Republic of Turkmenistan, and a preliminary agreement was reached to import gas to fulfill a portion of the requirements of power stations, in accordance with a draft memorandum of cooperation. The memorandum is expected to be signed before the end of the year, and reportedly includes proposed quantities and mechanisms that will be adopted between the two countries.

The delegation included Adel Kareem, Deputy Minister of Electricity for Production Affairs, Advisor Abdul Hamza Hadi, Director General of the Studies and Planning Department at the Ministry of Oil, Nasir Aziz, and several officials.