Turkmen president, Iraqi PM discuss gas swaps through Iran

ASHGABAT. March 6 (Interfax) - Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani discussed issues concerning supplies Turkmen gas to Iraq through Iran under a swap arrangement in a telephone conversation, newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan reported on Thursday.

Berdimuhamedov said Turkmenistan is firmly pursuing a policy to export its energy resources to world markets through diversification. He recalled that two years ago Turkmenistan and Iraq began working together in the gas sector, and as a result an agreement was reached to annually supply 10 bcm of Turkmen natural gas to Iraq under a swap arrangement through neighboring Iran.

Al Sudani confirmed Iraq's willingness to further step up cooperation in the energy sector and said the necessary work for this is being done.

Berdimuhamedov called for intensifying bilateral diplomatic relations and confirmed that Turkmenistan is prepared to provide all manner of assistance to create favorable conditions for the opening of an Iraqi diplomatic mission in Ashgabat.

The president and prime minister also discussed other areas of bilateral cooperation of mutual interest.