MOSCOW, September 9 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Iraq have reached agreements on building two gas pipelines and on cooperation in operating two Iraqi thermal power plants, the Russian Energy Ministry said on Wednesday.

A Russian delegation led by Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko visited Iraq on September 7 to discuss cooperation in electric power and the oil and gas sector. The delegation included representatives of the oil companies Rosneft, LUKoil, and TNK-BP.

"We have accumulated considerable international experience in the implementation of projects for deposit development and the creation of corresponding transport and production infrastructure in the energy sector. We have something to offer our Iraqi partners," the ministry's press office quoted Shmatko as saying.

Under the new agreement parties, Russia will help Iraq build the Kirkuk-Baniyas gas pipeline and a second strategic gas pipeline and arrange the operation of the Yusifiya and Dibis thermal power plants in Iraq, the statement said.