DAMASCUS, Syria, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Damascus signed a bilateral memo of understanding with Ankara to connect the natural gas networks of both countries and secure short-term sale agreements.
Government and corporate officials met in Damascus to discuss a wide range of bilateral energy provisions. Apart from gas networks, both sides agreed to move toward a short-term sale and purchase agreement for Turkish deliveries of natural gas for five years starting in 2011.
Representatives from the Syrian General Petroleum Co. and the Turkish state-owned pipeline company BOTAS said they would start negations on network connections and sales agreements within the next month, the official Syrian Arab News agency reports.
The MOU reflects a July provision for the Turkish delivery of 35 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 400 megawatts of electricity to Syria within the next five years.
Syria is pushing to broaden its regional energy relations with its neighbors. Iran in May signed a MOU in Baghdad with Iraq and Turkey to link power and energy networks with Syria.
Damascus sees its energy relationship with its neighbors as a potential source of economic recovery as Syria struggles with falling oil revenue and a stagnant market.
The Damascus memo was signed by Syrian Turkish Energy Minister Sufian al-Alou and his Turkish counterpart Taner Yildiz.
