Salehi: Iran hub of energy in region

Salehi made the remarks in a meeting with Hungarian Deputy Minister of National Development András Aradszki on Thursday evening.

In the meeting, Salehi called for expansion of Tehran-Budapest cooperation in energy as well as peaceful nuclear energy.

The two countries have suitable facilities and capabilities to broaden mutual cooperation in various sectors such as nuclear energy, András Aradszki said.

Event during sanctions era, Hungary maintained good level of cooperation with Iran in education and nuclear energy under supervision of the IAEA and would like to broaden the scope of such cooperation, he said.

Due to climate change and the problems in use of fossil fuel, many countries are to experience renewable energies and Hungary is to move in line with such market change, he added.

Hungary also mulls use of gas as a good source of cheap and clean energy, he said.

Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Ali-Akbar Salehi, for his part said the unfair economic sanctions incurred huge economic losses on Iran but did not prevent the Iranian scientists and researchers to continue their programs and produce 20 percent enriched uranium and fuel rods.

He called the two sides nuclear scientists to set up meetings to exchangne views and broaden mutual cooperation which was welcomed by the Hungarian delegation.

Formation of working groups and studying grounds for signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on nuclear related fields were among topics discussed between the two sides.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is now regarded as hub of energy in the region and the country is now cooperating in oil and gas swap, as well as import and export of electricity.

Head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) Ali-Akbar Salehi, heading a delegation, arrived in Hungary for a three-day visit and met with Hungarian energy minister and also visited the country’s nuclear sites and facilities.