Russian energy company, Soyuzneftegaz, says construction of a pipeline from major oil producer Iraq to Syria could start once the conflict in Syria is over.

"The project could be carried out with the participation of Russian and Italian companies," Yuri Shafranik, head of the energy company said in an interview on Friday.

The former Russian energy minister added that the project has been discussed with the officials of the two countries and they had agreed it should go ahead once peace returns to Syria.

Shafranik also expressed hope that a deal signed with Damascus on the joint exploration of Block 2 of Syria's territorial waters can be concluded to develop oil and gas in peaceful regions of Syria.
"If there is no possibility of normalizing the situation throughout the country at once, the situation should be stabilized gradually in regions where it is possible to conclude an agreement," he noted.

The "Amrit" contract, which was signed by the Syrian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and the Russian firm on December 25, 2013, spans 25 years and covers oil exploration in the area between the Mediterranean port city of Tartus and Banyas city at a depth of 70 kilometers.

Shafranik said exploration in the agreed region would take at least five years before any commercial production.

Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since 2011. Some sources say around 130,000 people have been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by Western-backed militants.

According to reports, Western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.

READ MORE: Russian firm plans Iraq-Syria oil pipeline after peace