Iran plans exporting gas to Europe via Turkey

In an interview with the economic reporter of Fars News Agency, Roknod’din Javadi said that although the gas exports to Turkey were disrupted several times last year, the volume of gas export to this country recorded two billion cubic meters in 2003.

Referring to the inconsistency raised between Iran and Turkey over the issue of gas export, he said that such variances are usual in business.

Stressing that the dispute over export of natural gas to Turkey has been settled, Javadi said that last year when Turkey ceased gas import, Iran could have claimed a lump sum as damage. But since the strategy of the country in exports is customer-oriented, the penalty was neglected by Iran.

Underlining the fact that the volume of gas export to Turkey would increase in future, he said that 10 billion cubic meters of gas are slated to be exported to Turkey per annum from year 2007 afterwards.

”The value of gas export to Turkey stands at $20 billion at the time of concluding contract. But the figure may vary between $15 and $25 billion due to fluctuations of market price while the contract is in force.”

He said that according to the contract singed, Iran is pledged to export 228 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey in 22-year period.

Asked whether there would be any changes in the contract, which has been already signed if the contract for export of gas to Europe via Turkey were signed, he answered that Turkey is not the only route.

Iran can export gas to Europe via two possible routes, which are Turkey as the first and Russia and Ukraine as the second route. Studies for selecting either of the routes are under way, he added.