Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs Amir Hossein Zamaninia made the remarks on the sidelines of a meeting between Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh and Iraqi Deputy Minister for Gas Refineries at the Ministry of Oil Fayaz Hassan.
Zamaninia described the five major areas of negotiations between the two countries’ oil officials announcing that Iran will launch gas exports to Iraq in March.
“The session marked the first meeting with an Iraqi delegation following the nuclear deal with the 5+1,” added the official stressing that no major problems existed for the implementation of signed MoUs between Iran and Iraq.
He went on to note that “the two sides conferred on cooperation in three Iran-Iraq joint oil fields while the negotiations will continue in this regard.”
“Iran has voiced readiness to deliver a gas shipment to the neighboring country at the borders,” underlined the official expressing hope that the Iraqi side will be ready to receive the cargo since 20 kilometers of the pipeline in their territory is still under construction.
Zamaninia further stressed that the construction of Basra-Abadan crude oil and products pipeline was also dealt with at the meeting; “with regard to educational operation, a detailed instruction set has been prepared by four companies of Oil Ministry which will be given to Iraqis."
The official also announced the formation of a joint committee between the two countries adding “the representative of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) in Iraq will be the Iranian president of the Committee while Iraq will introduce its own representative.”
Deputy oil minister also confirmed that “some talks have been conducted on technical collaborations for renewal of Iraqi refineries which will be undertaken by Iranian private companies.”
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