Iranian Energy Minister, Iraqi PM Discuss Ways to Boost Cooperation

 Iranian Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadimi in a meeting in Baghdad conferred on ways to further bolster cooperation in the trade and power fields.

Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office in a statement quoted Al-Kadimi as saying in the meeting that the Iraqi government is seeking to develop foreign cooperation and sharing experiences.

He also pointed to coronavirus challenge, saying the world is facing a difficult situation due to economic consequences of COVID-19.

Al-Kadhimi stressed the importance of making maximum efforts for fighting complicated problems with which regional states are dealing.

Based on the statement, both sides discussed the opportunity of cooperation in energy and electricity fields.

They also reviewed maintaining mutual cooperation between the two countries.

Ardakanian, for his part, emphasized establishing the highest level of relations between Iran and Iraq.

Upon his arrival in Baghdad, Ardakanian held a meeting with his Iraqi counterpart.

Ardakanian also met with Ali Abdul Amir Alavi, Iraq’s Minister of Finance.

Ardakanian said on Thursday that a two-year contract was signed with Iraq to export electricity.  

He said the contract used to be one-year but during this trip both sides signed a contract for exporting electricity in 2020 and 2021.

Ardakanian added that with coordination of the Iranian embassy in Iraq, half of the disbursement worth $400m was received during the trip.