Kiev studying Iran-Europe gas pipeline

IranMania, Iran
July 17 2005

LONDON, July 17 (IranMania) – Ukraine plans to join an international
consortium to build a gas pipeline for transportation of Iranian gas
to Europe, Petro Poshenko, the Head of Ukrainian National Defense and
Security Council said at a press conference, according to Ukraine-based
internet newspaper Forum.

Poshenko said he had discussed the issue during his visit to Iran.
according to Iran Daily.

Talks with Iran were held when Viktor Yushchenko was prime minister
in 2000, he said.

Several possible routes through Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and also
Turkey and the Black Sea have been considered, he said.

Experts have six weeks to calculate the costs and profit margins of
the routes and determine which one is the best, he added.

Deputy energy ministers from the countries interested in the
pipeline are to meet in Iran on July 24-25, Poroshenko said. Specific
deadlines and the list of countries taking part will be determined
at the meeting.

The project could cost over $10 billion and see over one thousand
kilometers of pipeline in Iranian territory alone, he said.

“Iran is ready to take part in financing the laying of the gas
pipeline in its territory and guarantee determined volumes of gas
supplies and fix prices for the recoupment period,” he said.

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