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Iran rejects selling expensive gas to Turkey

Oil&Gas Materials 25 May 2014 14:52 (UTC +04:00)

Tehran, Iran, May 25
By Milad Fashtami - Trend:

Iran says it's not selling expensive gas to Turkey.

Ali Majedi said that gas prices have decreased in international markets, but based on the signed contract between Iran and Turkey, the two sides can negotiate over new prices every 3 years, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported on May 25.

He went on to note that the two countries have already held a round of talks on new prices, adding that another round will be held in July.

"It's Turkey's right to take legal actions to pursue its rights based on the contract," he said.

"Tehran is ready to increase gas exports to Ankara," he added.

Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on April 16 that the International Court of Justice will most likely favor Iran in the gas price dispute with Turkey.

Zanganeh assured that Turkey's complained will cause no problem for Tehran, Iran's IRNA News Agency reported on April 16.

"Negotiations about the gas price and a possible increase in gas exports is still underway," he said.

Turkey laid a formal complaint against Iran in regards to high price of 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.

Iran is currently charging Turkey $490 for every 1,000 cubic meters of gas. It is while Ankara says it has to pay only $335 and $425 to Azerbaijan and Russia, respectively, to import the same amount of gas.

In 1996, the Tehran and Ankara 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.

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