Iran negotiates oil, gas cooperation with Russian companiesSeptember 3, 2012 - 14:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Tehran is holding negotiations with Russian companies about cooperation in the oil and gas sector, Iran’s Petroleum Minister Rostam Qasemi said, according to RIA Novosti. There are no immediate plans for joint projects in the country, however, he added. “We would be happy if Russia…expresses readiness for cooperation in the oil and gas sector,” he said. “We hope to achieve a positive result.” “We [would] welcome cooperation with Russian companies if they are ready to invest in Iran’s oil and gas sector and develop oil and gas deposits,” he said. “However, at present we do not have any joint projects.” According to Iran’s Petroleum Ministry, the Islamic Republic currently produces 4 million barrels of crude per day, half of which is exported. The United States, Israel and a number of Western European countries suspect Iran of running a nuclear weapons program under the guise of a civil nuclear project. Iran denies this and maintains its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful. Iran is the subject of a raft of sanctions by the U.S. and the European Union. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |