Publish Date: 30 July 2010 - 18:04

TEHRAN, July 30 (MNA) -- Iran is considering Iraq’s request to import Iranian natural gas, the deputy oil minister said here on Friday.

 The Mehr News Agency quoted Javad Owji as saying that subsequent to two-day talks between gas officials from both Iran and Iraq, a general agreement was reached on exporting Iran's natural gas to Iraq.

 Owji said that a common working group has been set to facilitate the signing of a gas deal between Iran and Iraq.

 “The two sides also discussed the transit of Iran's natural gas to Europe via Iraq and Syria,” he added.

 Owji went on to say that Iran was ready to export natural gas to Iraq in two phases, with 7-8 million cubic meters and 12 million cubic meters in the first and second phases respectively.

 Iran possesses the world’s second largest gas reserves, which compose almost 16 percent of the world’s total.

 MF/MG

END

MNA