Azerbaijan, Baku, Apr. 13/ Trend F.Milad/
Despite the European Union's sanctions against Iran's oil sector, oil and gas companies from 15 European states have so far put in a request to take part in the 17th International Oil, Gas, Refining, and Petrochemical Exhibition (Iran Oil Show), which will be held in Tehran from April 17-20.
"So far, 1255 domestic and foreign companies from 44 countries have registered to take part in this international exhibition," Es'haq Rouyvar, the director of the 17th Iran Oil Show, noted on Thursday.
He added that despite international sanctions on Iran, the number of countries participating in this year's exhibition has increased by about 10 per cent compared to the last year.
Rouyvar stated that participants include 940 Iranian and 315 foreign companies, Mehr news agency reported.
On January 23, EU foreign ministers approved sanctions against Tehran, including a ban on Iranian oil imports, a freeze on the assets of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) within the bloc's states and a ban on selling diamonds, gold and other precious metals to Tehran.
EU sanctions are meant to coerce Iran into abandoning its nuclear energy programme and based on allegations that Tehran's civilian energy programme may be a cover for acquiring nuclear weapons capability.
Iran rejects the allegations, arguing that as a committed signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.