Iran signs MoU with Ukraine on gas transfer

Iran and Ukraine have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on export of gas to the former Soviet republic, said a senior Oil Ministry official. Mohammad Hadi Nejad-Hosseinian, deputy oil minister for international affairs, told that the Ukrainian side has expressed its willingness to import 20-30 bn cm of gas from Iran per annum.
"Ukraine has also agreed to facilitate the transit via its territories of an annual 20 bn cm of gas to Europe," he said.

The official added that under the MoU, the two sides agreed to set up a five-party committee that will include representatives from Armenia, Georgia and Russia through which the gas pipeline would pass.
"The National Iranian Gas Company and Ukraine's Oil and Gas Company have undertaken to follow up the implementation of the MoU," he said, adding that the deal with Ukraine would open a new horizon for Iran's plans to export gas to Europe following obstacles created by Turkey in the way of the initiative.

Earlier, a senior gas industry official stressed that the issue of gas exports is incorporated into the 20-year perspective and is the firm decision of the Islamic establishment.
Roknoddin Javadi, managing director of National Iranian Gas Export Company, said if gas export projects are to be cancelled by the incoming government, it means that the country's macro policies will also have to undergo changes.

The official said gas exports could help boost national revenues and improve the country's international relations. Iran currently exports gas only to Turkey. Plans for gas exports to India via a pipeline which will have to pass through Pakistan have yet to materialize.
Iran is also planning to export gas to Armenia via a pipeline. Relevant executive operations have begun.