Iran, Russia to discuss energy cooperation in Tehran

Iran's deputy oil minister for international affairs and trade says Tehran and Moscow are to discuss energy cooperation during the forthcoming visit to Iran by the Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak.

Novak will arrive in Tehran on Wednesday accompanied with a high-ranking delegation representing various sectors of Russian economy.

Speaking to Iranian Oil Ministry's official SHANA news agency on Tuesday, Amir Hossein Zamaninia said Novak’s accompanying delegation will include top executives of 10 major oil companies.

He added that the two sides are expected to discuss cooperation in energy field as well as such major topics as the situation of global oil prices and cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC oil producing countries.

“Iran is currently in a position to be able to choose its partners and since Russians are familiar with working conditions in Iran, we hope this visit would be followed by positive results,” he added.

Zamaninia further noted that many foreign companies have already indicated their willingness to take part in the implementation of Iran's energy projects and this has put the country in a position to choose the best partners for future cooperation.

Saying that available investment opportunities in Iran are unparalleled in the world, the Iranian deputy oil minister added, “Empowerment of the private sector in scientific terms, encouraging investment, good management, and manufacturing necessary equipment” for energy sector projects are four major policies followed by Iran after removal of sanctions against the country.

Iran and the P5+1 countries – the US, the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany – agreed on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) after marathon talks in Austrian capital, Vienna, in mid-July. According to JCPOA, sanctions imposed on Iran over the country’s nuclear program will be removed in return for restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities.

Elsewhere in his interview, Zamaninia expressed hope that Iran would be able to export goods and equipment to all countries within the next 10 years.

During his two-day stay in Iran, Novak will take part in a session of the two countries’ joint economic commission, which will be headed by Iran's Minister of Information and Communication Technology Mahmoud Vaezi.

Cooperation in exploiting hydrocarbon resources and exploring ways of boosting bilateral economic exchanges to USD 10 billion a year will be major topics on the two sides’ agendas during the joint commission session.

Novak is also expected to meet and confer with the Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh.

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