Shahristani: Extract and Export Oil Could Not Be Made Without Approval of The Central Government

BAGHDAD / NINA / Deputy Prime Minister for Energy, Hussain al-Shahristani said that "any process to extract or export oil could not be made without the approval of the central government in Baghdad and the Ministry of Oil exclusively." Shahristani made it clear at a joint press conference in his office last night with Turkish Energy Minister Tyner Yildiz : "Iraq is ready to meet the needs of Turkey for oil and gas in accordance with the mechanisms and criteria approved by Iraqi oil marketing company ," noting : "Any amount of exported oil in any area in Iraq should be measured by the Iraqi Oil Ministry, which determines the selling price by oil marketing company , and should be deposited in the revenue account of development of Iraq and distributed according to the federal budget approved each year . " He added: "We assure the Iraqi people that the oil wealth are protected , because the oil and gas belong to all Iraqis as the Constitution says, and any process to extract or export oil could not be made without the approval of the central government in Baghdad and the Ministry of Oil exclusively ." For his part, Yildiz : "The meeting was fruitful and constructive , and he discussed a number of topics , including pipeline project length of 400 km from Basra towards the northern region , and other areas of cooperation in the energy field in order to achieve the benefit of the two peoples ," noting : "Turkey is committed to the unity of Iraq and all Iraqis enjoy their wealth . " The two sides discussed strengthening economic relations, especially in the field of energy between the two countries and ways of solving the problems that ensure Iraq's sovereignty, unity and control of its oil wealth. / End