Turkish Energy officials have agreed to resume importing Iranian gas after a 144-day purchase freeze. The Republic confirmed that the halt was imposed due to the poor quality of the gas being shipped, reported IRNA. The two sides have not yet announced a deal on new prices.
Turkey put a hold on natural gas imports via the 2,577-kilometer pipeline linking Tabriz to Ankara on June 24. Resumption of purchasing is dependent on Iran’s ability to export a product whose composition meets the standards outlined in the $20 billion contract signed between the two states in 1996.
Iran rejected Turkey’s claim that its gas exports were of poor quality and blamed the accusation on a recent offer by Russia to provide the Republic with gas at a lower prices.
Iran was commissioned with supplying three billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey annually and to increase levels gradually to 10 billion cubic meters by 2007. Deliveries were originally to have begun in 1999, but construction on a Turkish gas terminal held up the process, and in January 2000 both sides agreed to push back the starting date to July 2001 and extend the accord to 25 years. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
