Iran Signals Readiness to Expand Natural Gas Exports to Armenia

TEHRAN — Tehran and Yerevan have agreed to establish a joint specialized working group to expand energy cooperation, while Iran has proposed a new commercial framework aimed at increasing natural gas exports to Armenia.

Mehr reported the development following a July 25 meeting in Tehran between Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan.

Expressing appreciation for Armenia’s support for Iran during difficult periods, Paknejad reaffirmed Tehran’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with its northwestern neighbor within the limits of Iran’s technical and economic capabilities.

According to the Iranian oil minister, the two sides discussed a wide range of potential energy projects, including the expansion of bilateral trade, the export of technical and engineering services, the construction of an oil refinery and the supply of petroleum products to Armenia.

Paknejad proposed that the new working group begin operating as soon as possible so that its results could be assessed during the next round of bilateral negotiations.

The Iranian official noted that the existing energy partnership between the two countries is based on the “gas-for-electricity” exchange mechanism.

However, he said Iran’s proposed new commercial framework is intended to increase the volume of natural gas exported to Armenia.

Armenian Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Davit Khudatyan was on an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from July 24 to 27.