Page 10 - MEOG Week 48 2022

MEOG PROJECTS & COMPANIES MEOG

Iran ready to engage in

Iraqi oil and gas projects

IRAN/IRAQ THE CEO of the Iranian Gas Engineering and so that the country can achieve its deserved posi-
Development Co. (IGEDC) has announced his tion. “It is hoped that with your Excellency, Iraq
country’s readiness to participate in oil and gas will achieve its real progress and place,” Ayatollah
developments in neighbouring Iraq. Khamenei said.
Reza Noshadi stated that Iran owns the larg- He pointed to the necessity of Iraqi unity
est gas network in the world and gas consump- and urged the Iraqi government to use young
tion in Iran is 65% of the European Union. and devoted people to help the nation reach a
“The huge investment of the National Iranian deserved position on the international stage.
Gas Company (NIGC) in the development of the The Supreme Leader further urged al-Sudani
sixth nationwide gas pipeline from Asaluyeh to to rely on young Iraqis who fought against ISIL
the export bases in Naftshahr and Shalamcheh terrorism and to repel the new threats from their
proved that Iran is determined to expand its enemies.
relations with its neighbour, Iraq. Despite this, Ayatollah Khamenei also urged the central
we witnessed that most of the Iranian companies Iraqi government to extend its power to the
were stopped behind the gates of Iraq and could entire borders of the country and stressed that
not use their talent and strength in the industrial the borders in the north of the country should
development of the neighbouring country as it be secured against the infiltration of terrorists.
should be.” Khamenei emphasised that “Iraq’s security is
He described the presence of Iranian com- Iran’s security, just as Iran’s security affects Iraq’s
panies currently in Iraq’s oil and gas industry as security.”
insufficient, and stated: “As we have had good He pointed to the Iraqi Prime Minister’s talks
success in the field of building power plants and in Tehran and added that good negotiations and
hospitals in Iraq, it is expected that similar devel- understandings were achieved in the previous
opments in the field of oil and gas will also be governments, but some were not translated
realised.” into action; he called for the implementation of
Emphasising Iran’s declaration of readiness agreements, especially in the field of economic
to implement oil and gas projects in Iraq, he co-operation and goods exchanges as well as rail-
demanded that the Iraqi authorities provide way transportation.
the means to realise this. The IGEDC CEO said: The Iraqi prime minister, for his part, said
“The oil industry alone can double the current in the meeting, which was also attended by the
volume of Iran-Iraq trade.” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, that the fight
At much the same time, Prime Minister of against ISIL was a distinguished example of Iran-
Iraq Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and his dele- Iraq co-operation.
gation met with Ayatollah Khamenei in Tehran, Stressing the new Iraqi government’s resolve
and the latter stressed the close relationship to implement the agreements between the two
between the two nations of Iran and Iraq. countries and expanding relations in various
Khamenei said that Iraq’s progress and its fields, especially in the economic field, he noted:
enhanced position to the level it deserves are in “The security of Iran and Iraq are intertwined,
the interest of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He and in accordance with the constitution, we will
also praised the new Iraqi premier for being a not allow anyone to use Iraqi soil to threaten the
competent person who can advance Iraqi affairs security of neighbours.”™

P10 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 48 30•November•2022