Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 15
By Rahim Zamanov - Trend:
Ankara has requested to double its gas imports from Tehran, Iranian oil ministry's spokesman, Akbar Nematollahi, said on February 15, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported.
He went on to note that Turkey eyes to import 20 billion cubic meters of gas per day from Iran.
"The oil ministry is studying the proposal," he explained.
Iranian official further rejected Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz's remarks in regards to Iran's agreement with giving a discount to Turkey.
Yildiz said on Feb. 12 that Ankara will continue to import oil and gas from Tehran, Press TV reported.
"Turkey imports part of its energy demands from Iran and it will continue to import oil and gas from the country," Yildiz said.
He said that Iran and Turkey signed a gas deal in 1996 during a visit by former Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, adding that the agreement is a major strand in bilateral relations.
He described Iran and Turkey as two powerful countries of the Middle East region and underlined the significance of amicable relations between the two countries.
The Turkish minister expressed hope for the further development of Tehran-Ankara ties, particularly in the economic and trade sectors.
Last month, Yildiz said Turkey may double natural gas imports from Iran if the two countries can agree on a price.
"We have discussed how we could increase our imports to 20 billion cubic meters and the price mechanism needed for that," Yildiz said.
Iran owns the world's second-largest natural gas reserves after Russia, and is also Turkey's second biggest gas supplier after Russia.
Iran's natural gas is of crucial importance to Turkey as the energy-hungry country uses a significant portion of imported Iranian gas to generate electricity.