Azerbaijan, Baku, June 6 / Trend A.Badalova /
Iran can play an important role in connecting the Caspian Sea region and the Persian Gulf and can ensure the development of cooperation of these regions in the energy sector, general director of the department for Europe, America and the Caspian countries in Iran's Ministry of Oil Hossein Esmaili said at the 19th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference in Baku on Wednesday.
He said the potential of the Caspian Sea region is very attractive for international companies. Speaking about Iran's energy potential, Ismaili noted that Iran is the second largest oil producer in OPEC.
At present Iran, he said, exports gas to Turkey. However, the country is also exploring the possibility of transporting natural gas to Pakistan, Syria, Iraq and Europe.
The largest event of the Caspian region in oil and gas field, 19th International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition and Conference will be held from June 5 to 8.
The high status of the exhibition is reinforced by the annual participation in the opening ceremony of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.
Leaders of several countries annually send letters of greetings to the exhibition. The traditional support to the Caspian Oil and Gas project is provided by the Ministry of Industry and Energy of Azerbaijan and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR).
This year's exhibition expects more than 300 companies from 25 countries worldwide. Traditionally the exhibition will host the national boards of several countries. Recent advances in terms of new discoveries in the Caspian basin have given additional impetus for the development of the exhibition which will have a positive impact on extensive exposition in 2012.