Syria, Iran Sign Gas Agreement

TEHRAN, (ST) – Oil Minister, Suleiman Abbas, discussed with his Iranian counterpart, Rustom Khasemi, in the presence of Governor of Central Bank of Syria, Dr. Adib Mayaleh, the mechanism of following up the implementation of agreements in the field of oil,  gas and its derivatives and the way of supplying them to Syria and the implementation of the line of credit for this purpose, and work together to overcome economic sanctions and blatant war imposed on the Syrian people and targeting his living and economy.

During the talks session, the Iranian side underlined readiness to provide all the elements of support for Syria and supply needs of oil according to the specific programs, stressing that the escalation of the economic war will not achieve its goals to weaken the will of the Syrian people and its determination in the face of terrorist groups backed by the West, the United States and other countries in the region.
For his part, Minister Abbas confirmed the importance of working together to enhance the steadfastness of the Syrian people who is exposed to the unjust siege, pointing out that the implementation of the agreements concluded between the two sides in the field of oil will reflect positively on the living conditions of the Syrian people.

On the sidelines of the talks, a framework agreement for the transfer of Iranian gas to Syria through Iraq was signed by the Syrian and Iranian ministers. The Syrian ambassador in Tehran, Dr. Adnan Mahmoud, took part in the talks.

In the same context, the Syrian and Iranian sides held economic and trade talks between the Secretary General of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Taysir al – Zou’bi and Iranian Minister of Trade and Industry and Minerals, Mehdi Ghadanfari, to follow up the implementation of economic and trade agreements to ensure food and basic commodities and the implementation of the billion dollar credit line to cover the needs of Syria, electrical and medical supplies, medicines and food commodities in the presence of the Syrian ambassador in Tehran, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade, Director General of the General Establishment of  Consumer,  General Director of Foreign Trade,  General Director of Storage and Marketing and General Director of the Commercial Bank.
The two sides assured the need for continued work and activating bilateral cooperation to support the elements of the steadfastness of the Syrian people, especially in the economic, commercial and service domains.
The two parties stressed the importance of contracts and agreements concluded between the two sides and to take all necessary procedures and mechanisms for implementation as soon as possible to meet the needs and aspirations of the Syrian people and enhance their steadfastness.
Mr. Al –Zou’bi pointed out the risks to Syria of terrorist groups backed by the armed forces of international and regional parties, stressing that the Syrian people is able to face the plots and will be victorious by the support of brothers.
Mr. Al –Zou’bi underlined the need to accelerate the supply of food and essential commodities to relieve the Syrian people and enhance its steadfastness.
A session of talks also was held between the Governor of Central Bank of Syria and officials of the Central Bank of Iran in the presence of Oil Minister and the Syrian ambassador in Tehran to follow up the implementation of credit line concerning the needs of oil and food.  The two sides stressed the importance of the implementation of the credit line, its impact and reflections  in the economic, commercial, financial, health, banking and service sectors.

Sharif al -Khatib