President calls for Iran-Russia energy cooperation

Tehran, July 14, IRNA - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that cooperation between Iran and Russia in energy sector would be to the benefit of both sides as well as the weak consumers.

Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a meeting with the head of Board ofDirectors of Gazprom Aleksy Miller.

President Ahmadinejad said that officials of the two countries aredetermined to broaden ties in the energy sector.

"We are willing to broaden our ties with Russia in oil and gas as much as it is possible and also welcome expansion of cooperation in other sectors." The president welcomed Gazprom active presence in Iran saying that the active presence of the company in one or two projects could preparethe ground for extensive cooperation in future.

Iran and Russia could jointly help set up organization of gas exporting countries, he said adding that there exists ample of untapped opportunities before the two countries and they couldcollectively meet demands of Europe, India and China in gas sector.

Miller, for his part, said Gazprom will be a reliable partner for Iranadding that the company will spare no efforts to this end.

He also voiced readiness to actively cooperate in Iran's big oil andgas projects in South and North Pars, Azadegan and the Caspian Sea.