Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said on Saturday that Iraqi natural gas with an estimated reserve of 280 billion cubic meters is planned to be exported to Europe via Turkey, while he earlier explained that Turkey will help the United States to operate and transport Iraq's oil as part of its drive to become an energy hub.

Answering a question motion, Guler revealed that Turkey, United States and Iraq agreed to boost cooperation in energy and energy security during a meeting "Turkey-USA-Iraq trilateral energy working group" held Istanbul on March 9, 2007.

Guler noted that the natural gas to be produced is located at five fields north of Baghdad. "Iraq's natural gas could be transported to European markets via Turkey," he said.

On Friday, speaking to a private news channel Guler told that Turkey and the United States would develop joint projects to extract oil from Iraqi fields. "We have reached an agreement with the United States on the issue," said Guler, adding that "the Turkish Petroleum Corporation has an excellent knowledge of the geology of Iraq. Besides, Turkey has communication channels open with Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds in the country."

"The U.S. will cooperate with Turkey to facilitate investment," said Guler. "The two countries will soon send working teams to Iraq, and Britain may also join Turkey and the US in oil development projects in Iraq. Other countries may also be added to the partnership."

Guler visited the United States last week with President Abdullah Gul for talks with U.S. officials dominated by energy. He discussed energy supply security with U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman during his Washington trip last week.

Iraq pumps crude oil exports via a pipeline to Turkey's Mediterranean coast. Ankara's ties with Iraq have been strained in recent months by Turkey's aerial bombardment along border region in fight against PKK terrorists.