Iraqi leader arrives in Damascus to boost oil and trade ties
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss expanding energy exports and agricultural cooperation.
By Rebecca Foster ·
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Damascus on Wednesday to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This marks the first visit to Syria by an Iraqi head of government since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The two nations recently began exporting limited quantities of Iraqi oil through Syria following the start of the US-led war on Iran. In July, they signed agreements to revive the Haditha Baniyas pipeline for this purpose. A memorandum of understanding was also established with a consortium of three companies to execute the project, including the American oil major Chevron.
According to the Iraqi News Agency, the leaders discussed increasing trade volume and exporting oil via the Baniyas line. They also agreed to work together to develop the agricultural sector, aiming for food and economic integration between the two countries.
Al-Zaidi stated that the Iraqi and Syrian people are one people in two countries. He said the goal is to develop partnership and joint cooperation in economic and social fields, enhance security cooperation, and unify positions on regional and international issues.
Al-Sharaa expressed great appreciation for the visit and the accompanying delegation. He stressed the depth of relations between the two states and said Syria was keen to reach the highest levels of cooperation with Iraq.
The leaders previously met in New York last September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. During that meeting, they discussed strengthening political and security coordination and widening economic and trade cooperation.
