Iran, Russia to Speed Up Construction of "Power Grids"
Feb 19, 2008 - BBC Monitoring Middle East
The Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia signed a
letter of understanding on Tuesday [19 February] to
speed up construction of power grids in both countries.
The agreement was signed between Iran's Energy Minister
Parviz Fattah and Chairman of Board of Directors of
RAO UES of Russia Anatoly B. Chubais.
The two sides called for expansion of mutual cooperation
at mutual and regional level.
Referring to the recent visit of Russian president
to Tehran, the Iranian minister said the visit was
a turning point in expansion of cooperation between
the two countries.
Both Iran and Russia possess huge oil and gas resources
which have created grounds for expansion of cooperation
in the energy sector, he said.
It is quite obvious that expansion of ties between
Iran and Russia would dissatisfy a number of countries
but the two powerful nations are to keep on in line
with their national interests, Fattah said.
Iran is ready to connect to Russia national grid
and that Iran is currently exchanging energy with
regional countries such as Azerbaijan, Armenia and
Turkmenistan, he said.
Calling for expansion of investments in energy, electricity
and dam construction in both countries, Fattah said
Iran and Russia could cooperate in construction of
Sangtudeh 1 and 2 in Tajikistan.
The Russian envoy, for his part, said his country
is willing to broaden cooperation with Iran in energy
sector adding that Iran has had a remarkable progress
in electricity industry and that the generation of
electricity has risen up ten per cent in parallel
with 6.5 per cent of demand in market.
Iran and Russia are powerful in electricity sector,
he said adding that Russia is ready to broaden cooperation
in the sector.
Russia benefits from powerful electricity networks
in the North and Iran in the South, the said adding
that the two countries can jointly cover the needs
of regional countries, he pointed out.
Since generation of electricity by the year 2010
will hit 15 Gigabyte, he said Russia has predicted
a 130bn-dollar investment in the sector.
The two sides are to review cooperation in energy
sector in the upcoming session of the commonwealth
countries in Moscow on 23 May.
Originally published by Islamic Republic News Agency
website, Tehran, in English 1433 19 Feb 08.
(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Middle East. Provided by
ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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