Syrian - Iraqi oil pipelines to be opened very soon
Iraq-Syria, Economics, 7/15/1998

Iraqi Oil Minister Amer Muhammad Rashid said that Iraq and Syria signed on Tuesday an agreement providing for reopening oil pipelines to transfer Iraqi oil to the Syrian port of Banias.

In statements to reporters after talks he held earlier in the day with Syrian Premier Mahmoud al-Zou'bi and Syrian Minister of Oil Muhammad Jamal, the Iraqi minister added that teams have been formed to restart the line very soon.

The Iraqi minister added that the Syrian and Iraqi oil ministries also signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding relating to fields of oil cooperation. These include the reopening of the Iraqi - Syrian pipeline so the two states will be able within a short period of time to pump 300,000 barrels of oil per day through the line.

In a statement to a Monte Carlo radio correspondent in Damascus broadcast on Tuesday, Rashid added: "The main benefits for the two countries of this agreement is deepening trade and economic relations." He added that a study was also made to erect a new oil pipeline at a higher capacity for further future cooperation.

On renovating the Syrian pipeline, the Iraqi minister said joint work teams were established to discuss all technical details, adding that the line will be operational within a few months. Replying to a question on the possibility that the agreement will increase Syria's share of the oil-for-food and medicine accord, Rashid said, "The agreement has no relevance to Syria's share of the oil accord." He added that when "our oil passes through Syrian territories, revenues will be paid to the Syrians as a result."

Concerning the UN role in this agreement, he elaborated that the Iraqi accord with Syria was taken into consideration when the memorandum of understanding was signed between Iraq and the UN in 1996. It does not need the consent of the UN, only notification.

Previous Stories:
  Iraqi oil minister discusses in Damascus reopening pipelines   (7/13/1998)
  Baghdad imports French sugar through Syrian port   (7/3/1998)
  Syrian - Iraqi oil pipelines maintained   (7/1/1998)

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