Russia's energy minister off to Tehran for bilateral talks

Moscow, Nov 29, IRNA – Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko left for Tehran Sunday to hold bilateral talks with Iranian officials for cooperation in the gas, oil and energy fields.

Shmatko, heading a delegation, is to attend Tehran-Moscow Joint Economic Commission session.

During his two-day stay, Shmatko is planned to meet with Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Oil Minister Masoud Mir-Kazemi and his counterpart Majid Namjou.

Meanwhile, Shmatko told IRNA on Friday that Moscow enjoys unique relations with Tehran.

Shmatko reiterated that Tehran-Moscow energy cooperation would benefit both countries.

The two countries' bilateral cooperation on Bushehr nuclear power plant has paved the way for further expansion of all-out ties between the two sides, he added.

The Russian minister announced that the Bushehr plant would become operational according to the schedule, adding that there is no obstacle on the way of putting into operation of the power plant./end