Iraq considers reviving oil export line via the Syrian port of Baniyas

INA - BAGHDAD 

The government spokesman, Basim Al-Awadi, identified the importance of PM Muhammed S. Al-Sudani's visit to Syria, stressing that Iraq is considering reviving the oil export line through the port of Baniyas.

"Al-Sudani's visit to Syria yesterday is important, because it is the first visit in a long time, and it comes in important circumstances, as Iraq contributed to Syria's return to the Arab League and made great efforts in this regard," said Al-Awadi, to the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
 
He pointed out, "There are important points that define Iraq's strategy towards Syria. The first point is that Syria is an integral part of Iraqi national security and the security of the region. Therefore, any disturbance in Syrian security could produce a disturbance in the Iraqi security situation. The second point is that Iraq rejects the process of economic sanctions imposed on Syria, which is also considered an important factor in destabilizing, so Iraq is working to restore Syria's economic recovery."

"There are important common matters with Syria, including the drug file from which the two countries suffer, as Iraq began to pay a harsh tax as a result of the increase in the number of drug users and the allocation of huge funds for their treatment, in addition to the danger of the drug file on the structure of Iraqi society," he asserted.

Al-Awadi explained, "Iraq is looking for new outlets to export Iraqi oil," expecting that "Iraq is ready to discuss with Syria the file of reviving the Iraq oil pipeline - the port of Baniyas to the Mediterranean Sea, if Syria's conditions improve, which will also provide Iraq with new opportunities to export its oil and deliver it quickly to the Mediterranean Sea and the buying countries."

"Syria has very large and well-known ports on the Mediterranean Sea, and therefore if Syria is convinced to join the development roadmap for land and rail links from its ports to the Iraqi-Syrian-Turkish triangle, I also think this will provide significant financial resources," he expressed.

He stated, "Iraq has begun to restore its status in the Arab world in recent years, especially during the government of PM Al-Sudani, where manifestations of stability have increased and become a reassuring factor, which made the Iraqi state's discourse in it a kind of condescending confidence."