Tehran, Iran, April 16
By Milad Fashtami - Trend:
Iran continues negotiations with Turkey over a possible increase in the country's gas exports to Ankara.
Iran's Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs, Ali Majedi, said that Tehran wants its share in Turkey's market to be equal to that of Moscow, Iran's IRIB News Agency reported on April 16.
"Russia's gas exports to Turkey are apparently 2.5-3 times more than Iran's exports," he explained.
He went on to note that Turkey says Iran's request is only possible if Tehran offers gas at the same price as Moscow does.
Iran's Fars New Agency on Mar. 7 quoted an unnamed Iranian official as saying that Tehran will be ready to increase its gas exports to Ankara in case Turkey comes to an agreement with Iran over their legal dispute.
The source said that Iran prefers to export the gas and Turkey will be a good option, adding that based on the previous agreements, Iran will also be able to export its gas to Europe via Turkey.
Ali Majedi said on Feb 26 that Iran will able to increase gas exports to neighboring Turkey in the next three years.
"If Turkey increases gas imports from Iran, then Tehran can think about giving a discount to Ankara," Majedi added.
Referring to Turkey's formal complaint against Iran in regards to high price of gas, Majedi said that, "An international court is currently studying the case. The final verdict will be announced in a few months."
Ankara appealed to the International Court of Arbitration over the price of Iranian gas in March 2012.
If the court rules in favor of Turkey, Iran will be obliged to provide Turkey a 30 percent discount on gas purchases.
In 1996, the two countries signed an agreement, according to which Iran would supply 10 billion cubic meters of gas annually to Turkey.
Under the agreement, Iran should export about 27.3 million cubic meters of gas per day to its northwestern neighbor.
In October 2013, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said that Turkey is importing 10 billion cubic meters of gas a year from Iran but would buy more if it were available.