Iran-Turkey gas deal may failNovember 15, 2009 - 15:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Iran-Turkey gas deal needs to be approved by Majlis, the chairman of the Majlis Energy Committee said here on Wednesday. The Mehr News Agency quoted Hamid-Reza Katouzian as saying that, "According to Iran's Constitution all the international contracts needs to be approved by the Majlis." "The recent agreements between Iran and Turkey have not been approved by Majlis, so it is probable that the deal be cancelled," he added. Iran and TPAO signed an agreement in 2008 based on which the Turkish side undertook to produce 20.4 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually from three development phases of Iran's South Pars gas field, but the deal has been delayed. In October Iran gave TPAO one month's deadline to finalize the deal to develop phases 22, 23 and 24 of South Pars but extended the deadline by three months during the Turkish high-ranking delegation's visit to Tehran last month. During the visit Iran and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding to broaden ties in the field of gas industry. Iranian Oil Minister Masoud Mirkazemi and Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz signed the MOU. Transferring Iranian gas to Europe via Turkey, boosting the presence of Turkish firms in Iran's petrochemical sector, and developing Iran's gas fields were among the MOU items, Tehran Times reported. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |