Iraq and Syria Agree on Joint Economic Conference and Rehabilitation of Kirkuk–Baniyas Oil Pipeline

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa have agreed to organize a joint Iraqi-Syrian economic conference aimed at bringing together investors and companies to explore investment opportunities and discuss priority projects in the energy, transport, agriculture and trade sectors.

The agreement followed the two leaders’ first meeting in Damascus, during which they also agreed to rehabilitate the Kirkuk–Baniyas oil pipeline project. The initiative is considered a strategic opportunity to strengthen economic cooperation and provide an additional route for exporting Iraqi oil through Syrian ports on the Mediterranean coast.

On security matters, the two sides discussed arrangements for an Iraqi security delegation to visit Damascus to enhance coordination on border security, intelligence sharing, and efforts to combat terrorism, smuggling and organized crime, as well as address ongoing tensions.

The talks also covered ways to facilitate religious visits by Iraqis to the Sayyida Zainab Shrine in Syria. The two sides proposed forming a committee to examine the necessary arrangements to ease these visits and ensure appropriate security conditions for receiving pilgrims and visiting delegations.