United States and Iraq Sign Memorandums of Understanding Regarding Energy Cooperation

On December 20, 2004, the U.S. and Iraq signed two memorandums of understanding (MOU’s) providing for cooperation in energy.

The first MOU, between the Ministry of Oil of the Republic of Iraq and the U.S. Department of Energy, provides for technical cooperation in the areas of energy analysis, energy technology and energy training and education with a focus on capacity building in Iraq. The participants anticipate carrying out these activities through a consultative mechanism, and through the exchange of experts, participation in workshops, exchanging technical information and training.

The second MOU, between Iraq’s Ministry of Oil and the U.S. Department of State, provides for cooperation in training and capacity building in Iraq’s oil sector. Under this understanding, the parties will cooperate in developing training programs in basic business management, English language and information technology. In addition, the program anticipates technical training provided by private sector firms and professional societies, and in longer-term training provided through U.S. and Iraqi universities.

The understandings are part of broader cooperation between the United States and Iraq, carried out through a Joint Economic Commission.
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