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Iran, France seeking new ways to expand energy cooperation: Zanganeh

This photo shows Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh (2nd R) in a meeting with the visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (3rd L) at the main building of Iran's Oil Ministry in Tehran, July 29, 2015. ©SHANA

Iran's oil minister says French companies have indicated their readiness to work with Iran's energy sector as Tehran and Paris are seeking new ways to expand energy ties.

Speaking to reporters following a meeting with the visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, in Tehran, Bijan Zanganeh told reporters that during the meeting, the two sides highlighted the necessity of boosting oil and gas cooperation between Iran and France.

“”France has been among pioneers in bilateral oil and gas cooperation with Iran and is also among countries with which Iran plans to expand energy cooperation,” he added.

Zanganeh noted that the French side has indicated its keen interest in taking part in Iran's petrochemical projects and the two countries have agreed to explore available possibilities in this regard.

“Iranian and French companies will cooperate for the production of oil industry equipment in Iran under the French brand and through French investment,” Zanganeh said, adding that the equipment will not only be used in Iran, but also exported to regional countries.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius ©SHANA

He also noted that Iranian Oil Ministry is planning to open a new chapter in cooperation with the French energy giant, Total, for development of Iranian oil fields.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Fabius told reporters that France seeks to restore its historical ties with Iran, adding, “Before sanctions [were imposed on Iran], Paris was an important trade partner for Tehran and it hopes to regain its past position following the Vienna agreement.”

Iran and the P5+1 group of countries – the United States, France, Britain, Russia, China and Germany – managed to finalize the text of an agreement over Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program in Austrian capital, Vienna, on July 14. According to the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the P5+1 has agreed to remove all economic and financial bans against the Islamic Republic.

The French foreign minister arrived in Tehran for a day-long visit on Wednesday morning. Upon arrival in Tehran, Fabius said an economic delegation of big French companies will visit Iran in September.

Fabius’ visit to Iran is the first by a French foreign minister to the Islamic Republic in 12 years.


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