ARMENIA MULLS EXTENDING IRAN PIPELINE TO EUROPE

United Press International
Dec 24 2007

Armenia is considering a proposal to extend a pipeline from Iran to
Europe, Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan said Monday.

"If Iran and Europe reach an agreement on gas supplies and consider
it possible to export gas via Armenia by the shortest and the most
effective method, we’ll naturally implement this project after
assessing its environmental and economic aspects," he said.

The comments were reported by RIA Novosti.

Such a deal may be opposed by the United States and some European
countries because of Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program. In
October, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had said plans to
extend the pipeline were promising.

"No one will prevent us from carrying this project through as it
is advantageous for the country and its economy," Movsisyan said,
according to RIA Novosti.

The more than $200 million, 111-mile pipeline would supply Iranian
natural gas to Armenia. The first 24 miles went on stream in March.

RIA Novosti said the second leg is being built.

Europe relies on Russia for the bulk of its natural gas supply
and wants to reduce that dependence. Iran offers a steady supply,
but global politics as well as Iranian stability may put that deal
in doubt.