Iraq, Russia agree to build gas pipelines

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Russia and Iraq have agreed to build two natural gas pipelines and to enhance cooperation in the electricity field, according to an official statement. “A Russian delegation, led by the Russian minister of energy, Sergei Shmatko, visited Iraq on Sept. 7 in accordance with orders from the Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin, and delivered a personal message from Putin to Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki,” according to a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Energy. The visit was the first of its kind in the last six years, the statement noted. Iraq has expressed its keenness to develop cooperation with Russia, it added. SS (P)/SR 1