Iran one of influential gas exporting countries: Advisor
The oil minister's top advisor, Hossein Kazempour-Ardebili told IRNA that Iran would be one of the major players at the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) if it managed to form an OPEC-like cartel for gas in the future.
The idea of creating the gas cartel was first revealed in January when Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposed Iran and Russia to create a gas cartel.
Noting that Russia would host the GECF's next meeting, the top advisor said that using different views of domestic and foreign experts at Iran's Oil Ministry, Tehran was preparing a set of proposals on formation of the gas cartel to offer them during the next meeting in Russia.
Kazempour-Ardebili, Iran's OPEC governor, said that natural gas is a growing market with increasing demands which needs further investments both by consumers and suppliers.
Norwegian Oil Minister Odd Roger Enoksen said on Tuesday that European countries give priority to cooperation with Iran in the energy sector.
According to the Foreign Ministry Press Department, Enoksen made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in Oslo, capital of Norway, adding that the Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys abundant capabilities and resources in the Middle East.
Europe prioritizes cooperation with Iran on energy: oil minister
Assessing the level of investments, and economic and trade cooperation between Iran and Norway as appropriate, Enoksen noted that increased consultations between the two sides can create grounds for identifying new opportunities for investment.
Mottaki, on his part, said that Iran and Norway have good opportunities to pursue new investments.
Experiences of Tehran and Oslo as well as exchanges among various companies have provided the two friendly countries with greater investment opportunity, he underlined.
Referring to multilateral cooperation between Iranian and Norwegian companies, he noted that their bilateral experiences can prepare grounds for coordination in implementing oil projects, constructing refineries as well as transferring energy among European, Asian and Latin American countries.
Continuing his tour to some North European countries, Mottaki arrived in Oslo today, and held talks with Norwegian ministers of foreign affairs, oil and industries.
