Iraqi President ready to visit Turkmenistan

Baghdad, The Gulf Observer: During a meeting of a delegation led by the State Minister and Chairman of the Türkmengaz (Turkmen Gas) State Concern and the Prime Minister of Iraq Muhammed Shia’ Al Sudani, it was noted that Iraqi President is ready to conduct an official visit to Turkmenistan in the near future, according to the official Turkmen media.

From October 5-8 this year, the delegation under the supervision of the head of the Türkmengaz SC paid a working trip to Baghdad, according to the press release issued by Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan on Sunday.

Prime Minister Al-Sudani emphasised that despite the abundance of hydrocarbon resources, the growing needs of the Iraqi national economy and population for gas and electricity require an increase in the volume of gas imports to Iraq.

The Turkmen delegation also held detailed negotiations with Minister of Electricity Ziad Ali Fadel, which discussed a number of matters related to the organisation of Turkmen natural gas supplies to Iraq.

Iraqi partners have expressed interest in gas supplies from Turkmenistan to Iraq under the SWAP scheme through the territory of Iran. At the same time, the Iraqi side is ready to accept Turkmen natural gas in the volume of about 10 billion cubic metres annually.

Furthermore, the meeting also involved discussions on the legal, commercial, financial, and organizational aspects of future collaboration in the gas sector. As a result of the negotiations, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Türkmengaz SC and the Ministry of Electricity of Iraq. Both parties agreed to continue their negotiations in Ashgabat during the upcoming “Oil and Gas of Turkmenistan – 2023” International Exhibition and Conference.