Mohsen Paknejad said the agreements reached at the meeting represented
a “transition from understanding to execution.”
He said specialist working groups had prepared the final document
after “intensive and lengthy” discussions, adding that the commission provided
a framework to pursue the two countries’ broad economic potential.
Paknejad thanked Russia’s energy minister and his team for their
“constructive cooperation” in finalizing agreements and removing obstacles in
areas of mutual interest.
He said significant capacity for collaboration remained, particularly
in energy, including oil and gas field development, as well as in finance,
banking, transport, agriculture, education and standards.
Gas import talks near completion
Paknejad said negotiations on importing gas from Russia were close to
completion, with “one or two clauses” left to finalize. He said focused
meetings would aim to conclude the remaining points, leading to the signing of
a final contract “soon.”
Responding to a question on Iran’s gas needs, Paknejad said the
country’s production capacity had increased notably since the start of the
current administration. He cited a record daily output of 730 million cubic
metres from the South Pars Gas Field, calling it unprecedented.
Despite higher production, Paknejad said Iran continued to face a gas
imbalance, prompting Tehran to pursue imports from Russia.
He added that cooperation between Iran and Russia in oil and gas was
already strong and could expand further. Iran is reviewing the possible award
of development rights for a major shared field, he said, noting that
preliminary talks were under way.
Open to Russian investment
Paknejad said the strategic partnership treaty between Iran and Russia
had created a favorable platform for economic cooperation and clarified the
framework for joint projects.
“Iran welcomes the presence, participation and investment of Russian
companies in the development of oil and gas fields,” he said.