Damascus, Tehran sign gas agreement

(ST)- Damascus and Tehran recently signed a framework agreement for the transfer of Iranian gas to Syria through Iraqi territory. The agreement was signed by Iranian Oil Minister, Rostum Khasemi, and his Syrian counterpart, Suleiman Abbas in the presence of the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Adib Mayaleh in Tehran, according to SANA
The two ministers discussed following the implementation of the credit line concerning the imports of gas, oil and oil products to Syria, where the Iranian minister stressed his country’s readiness to supply the needs of oil according to the specific programs. The two sides also held economic and commercial talks related to ensuring food and basic commodities.

Mr. Khasemi announced, in March last year, the approval of his country to supply Syria and Iraq with natural gas.

It is worth mention, Syria, Iran and Iraq signed, last July, a memorandum of understanding to build a pipeline to transport gas through a period of between three and five years.

The Iraqi government recently authorized its oil minister, Abdul Karim Lou’iabi, to sign the framework agreement to build a gas pipeline passing through its territory from Iran to Syria, with the possibility of extension thereafter to Lebanon and Europe.

Syria and Iran signed recently a number of joint agreements and contracts, which included a line of credit facility agreement worth one billion dollars and in the field of power and electrical equipment.

Sh. Kh.