Iran, Russia to up energy cooperation

Iranian Minister of Energy Hamid Chitchian says Tehran and Moscow have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in the field of energy and electricity production.

Describing his talks with the Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak as productive, Chitchian said on Saturday that the two countries have agreed to increase their cooperation in various fields of energy production.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 44th session of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Electric Power Council in the Russian capital, Moscow.

Referring to Russia’s capacities in the field of energy, Chitchian said cooperation between Tehran and Moscow would be to the benefit of all regional countries.

“This (cooperation) will lead to electricity exchange between regional countries and reduce domestic investment in this field,” the Iranian minister noted.

“Iran is one of the main energy producers in the region, particularly in the electricity production sector, and has broad capabilities in this field,” Chitchian said.

“Given these capabilities, we are ready to expand cooperation with neighboring countries in the field of electricity production industry,” Chitchian added.

Commenting on his meeting with Russian and Azeri energy ministers on Friday, Chitchian said issues concerning cooperation in the field of energy, particularly electric energy were discussed during the talks.

The three ministers agreed to establish a working group in order to increase trilateral cooperation.

Iran is currently exchanging electricity with Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey.