Iran, Russia to set up joint energy committee

Iran and Russia agreed to set up a join energy committee for expanding the cooperations of the two states in the issues of oil, gas and energy.

The decision was taken during the meeting between Iranian Oil Minister Rostam Qasemi and Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko, here on Sunday, SHANA news agency reported.

The two ministers also asserted on the accelerating the implementation of the “energy road map”, which was agreed between the two countries last year.

The two sides also announced their opposition to laying any gas pipeline in the Caspian Sea bed due to environmental concerns, protection of marine resources and preventing of pollution.

The top energy officials stated that they support the common views of Iran and Russia at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) and other regional and international energy organizations in order to play a constructive role to secure demand and supply of gas to the benefit of both producers and consumers.

During the meeting the Russian side expressed its readiness to take part in studying on raising oil recovery rate of Iranian fields.

The Russian energy minister arrived in Iran on Sunday to take part in the 9th Iran-Russia joint commission and also in the ceremony start-up of the Bushehr nuclear power plant which was held on Monday.