Armenia, Iran to sign gas pipeline agreement

Interfax
May 13 2004

Yerevan. (Interfax) – Armenia and Iran will sign an agreement
in Yerevan on Thursday on the construction of a gas pipeline,
Artashes Tumanian, who is co-chairman of the Armenian-Iranian
Intergovernmental Economic Commission and head of the Armenian
presidential administration, told the press.

He made the statement after negotiations with Iranian Petroleum
Minister Bijan Namdar-Zanganeh.

The project will upgrade political and economic relations, Tumanian
said. It is also important for the energy security of Armenia.
Tumanian did not say how much Iranian gas would cost, but noted that
the supplies would be repaid with Armenian electricity.

It is planned to build the pipeline within 1.5 years, Tumanian said,
without specifying the project cost or supply amounts. He said that
companies from third countries might be financially or technically
involved in the project.

As for laying a gas pipeline to Europe across Armenia, Tumanian said
the current task is to provide Armenia with natural gas, and further
developments will depend on political factors.