Natural gas negotiations continue between Turkey, Iran
Posted by meb at November 17th, 2008
Negotiations over the renewal of natural gas purchase agreements are continuing between Iranian and Turkish delegates, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding is only a matter of time, officials have said.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Güler and Iranian Petroleum Minister Qolam Hosein Nozari, each supported by a group of bureaucrats, are currently conducting talks toward an agreement in Tehran.
Speaking after a session of negotiations, Güler told a group of reporters that Turkey is planning to increase the amount of gas it purchases from Iran not only for Turkish needs, but also for European consumers. Iran’s gas resources will be exported to European customers through pipelines across Turkey. He noted that Turkey currently imports 27 million cubic meters of natural gas from Iran daily, adding that the new deal will ensure the flow of 23 million more once it is agreed by both parties.
Nozari said the transport of gas to European markets has been one of the matters discussed in detail with Turkish authorities during the talks. Once the two sides conclude a deal to increase the daily flow, a major portion of this excess supply will be dispatched to European markets.
Although it encounters harsh opposition from the US, which wants its allies to apply economic sanctions on Iran, Turkey has been attempting to increase its cooperation with its neighbor. In July 2007 Güler and former Iranian Petroleum Minister Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh signed a memorandum of understanding to boost joint investment in energy, transport Iranian gas to European markets through Turkey, carry Turkmen natural gas across Iran and Turkey, and increase cooperation in the oil trade.
source: Today’s Zaman
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