Armenia, Iran looking to boost gas cooperationJanuary 22, 2018 - 10:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Reza Araqi said that the Islamic Republic is ready to enhance its gas interaction and cooperation with Armenia, Mehr News Agency reports. Araqi, who is also the managing director of National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), added that “in addition to the conclusion of a gas and electricity barter contract inked between Iran and Armenia, Tehran is also ready to expand gas cooperation with Yerevan.” Speaking about Iran’s gas export to Armenia, he said, “a predefined contract has been inked between Iran and Armenia for exporting gas to Armenia and also importing electricity into the country.” Accordingly, Armenia is to import three KW/hour electricity into Iran in exchange for one million cubic meter gas exported from Iran to Armenia, the deputy oil minister maintained. Turning to the possibility of increased volume of Iran’s gas export to Armenia, he said, “Iran has not any problem to increase its export volume of gas to Armenia but the Armenian side is unable to supply more electricity to Iran.” However, it has been stipulated to organize a get-together meeting between Iran and Armenia for increasing gas export volume, he said, adding, “both public and private sectors of Armenia can negotiate with Iran for importing more gas from Iran to Armenia.” Accordingly, the Ministry of Oil has prioritized to export gas to neighboring states and also export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to other target markets at the next phase, he maintained. In 2004, Iran and Armenia inked a barter contract in the field of gas and electricity for 20 years, based on which, Iran’s export gas will be used by Armenian power plants and in return, Iran will import electricity from Armenia. 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. |