Syria and Turkey signed Thursday in initials a memo of understanding to connect gas networks in both countries in order to start later negotiations in many issues, including a short-term agreement for the sale and purchase of natural gas to supply Syria with 0.5 to 1 cubic meter of gas from Turkey annually for five years starting in 2011.

The memo was signed by the Syrian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Eng. Sufian Allaw and the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz.

The memo provides for transporting natural gas to Syria and Turkey, as well as to and from other countries through Syria and Turkey.

Both sides, represented by the Syrian General Petroleum Company (SGPC) and the Turkish Pipeline Company (Botas), agreed to prepare a work plan in one month maximally to start negotiations on two agreements.

The first agreement approves the primary rules to start the connection of pipelines between Syria and Turkey.

Based on the second short-term agreement, both sides are required to set the basics for the sale and purchase of natural gas between SGPC and Botas for five years in 2011.

Allaw  revealed that discussions between both sides have stepped up remarkably to establish a Syrian-Turkish company to conduct oil excavation and production activities.

For his part, Turkish Minister said that this agreement opens the door for future cooperation in the fields of oil between both countries, pointing out that exporting gas through the Arab gas pipeline and the Turkish gas network make possible for the exchange of gas between Syria and Turkey.

Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri reviewed on Thursday with the Turkish Energy Minister, Taner Yildiz and the accompanying delegation Syrian-Turkish cooperation relations and means of developing them to serve both countries interests.

Both sides discussed mutual cooperation between the two countries in the fields of gas, water, and electric energy.

They stressed the importance of linking gas and electric energy transmission networks between the two countries and working on supplying Syria with electric power to meet developmental needs.

Aspirations for the establishment of partnerships and joint ventures to boost the bilateral cooperation were stressed during the meeting.

Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources attended the meeting.