The Ministry of Electricity announced today, Tuesday, agreements to increase gas supplies and restore Iranian lines. The ministry stated in a statement that "the Undersecretary for Production, Engineer Adel Karim, received the Chargé d'Affaires of the Iranian Embassy in Iraq, Moussa Ali Zadeh, to discuss the latest developments in the bilateral relations between the two countries in the field of energy and fuel."
The statement added that "Zadeh indicated that Iran seeks to continue and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the Iraqi and Iranian people and the deep historical relations that bind them." He noted that "Iran is ready to increase gas pumping rates and restore the operation of Iranian lines, and the possibility of operating the (Amara - Karkha) lines to contribute to the stability of voltages in the southern provinces."
For his part, "Karim praised the serious initiatives provided by Iran to enhance developmental cooperation between the two friendly countries," noting that "the ministry needs to pump gas to meet the needs of generation stations, and that the ministry is committed to its governmental obligations for joint work on energy issues, which is one of the strategies and essential interests of the ministry at present."
He explained that "the energy lines and towers have been subjected for some time to deliberate and organized sabotage attacks aimed at depriving citizens of electric power, the latest of which was the complete shutdown experienced by the national system last Friday due to the separation of electrical power transmission lines. However, the ministry accepted the challenge of reconstruction and rehabilitation through field leadership to adjust and increase supply hours to maintain an ambitious level and earn the citizens' trust."
Karim expressed his "gratitude to Iran, both government and people, for this step and for all initiatives that would draw a better situation under the current circumstances facing Iraq, which requires integrated visions and sincere intentions in working to achieve maximum fulfillment of mutual interests."
