Baku's green light to transfer Russian gas to Iran; Details are still confidential

The understanding of the transfer of Russian gas to Iran and the capacity of regional energy cooperation were discussed at the Moscow meeting with the presence of officials from Iran, Russia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia; The meeting was centered on the connection of energy and peace in the South Caucasus.

Ambassador Arjan - Economic Group: The specialized meeting "Energy cooperation in the form of 3+3 to strengthen peace and security in the South Caucasus region" was held on Friday with the presence of energy officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, while the issue of the impact of the memorandum of understanding on the transfer of gas from Russia to Iran was at the center of the discussion.

Officials and senior experts participating in this round table, which was held in the framework of the events of the 8th International Forum of Russian Energy Week in Moscow, also referred to the creation of a reliable regional supply mechanism through the connection of national networks, the expansion of existing energy corridors and the creation of new corridors as steps to strengthen the economies of these countries and also support sustainable peace and security in this region.

In his speech at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Oil and CEO of Iran National Gas Company mentioned using the existing capacities of gas transmission pipelines as well as electricity transmission lines as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between countries in the form of 3+3 cooperation.

In this regard, Saeed Tawakli said: In the discussion of energy and security cooperation in the South Caucasus, the question is not only which route or how much gas will pass, the more important question is how to secure the sustainable interests of all participating countries from energy trade, industrial cooperation and economic ties.

He referred to Iran's experiences in gas industry cooperation with the former Soviet Union, the gas swap of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan, the exchange of gas and electricity with Armenia, and the seasonal cooperation in helping to meet the emergency needs of the countries in the region, including the supply of gas to Georgia in 2006, as examples of energy cooperation among the countries of the region.

Referring to the capacities and capabilities of our country in terms of having large gas resources, electricity production and 41 thousand kilometers of gas transmission network and 480 thousand kilometers of gas distribution network, the CEO of Iran National Gas Company described Iran's territorial position as privileged in relation to energy production and consumption centers and the possibility of playing a role in gas swap and transit.

Referring to the memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Moscow for the transfer of Russian gas to Iran in 2024, he said: The first approach in this field is to use the existing capacities, because this region has the gas transmission network and the required infrastructure, and the important thing is to form interaction and communication for the optimal use of these capacities.

In his second proposal, Tavakli also said: the countries of the region can exchange gas or electricity with each other seasonally and at special times of the year, and this issue can be the basis for strengthening cooperation and finally consolidating the peace and stability of the region.

Valuable opportunities for energy interaction in the South Caucasus

Roman Marshavin, Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia, also said in a speech at this meeting: Although Russia, Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan are oil and gas exporting countries, the approach of these countries in the past decades is interaction and partnership, and these countries do not consider themselves competitors.

He said: The cooperation between Moscow, Tehran and Baku in cold winters and hot summers in the exchange of gas and electricity shows the process of cooperation and valuable interaction between them.

The Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia mentioned energy swap projects as one of the ways to strengthen the cooperation of the countries of the region and said that the details of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and Russia for the transfer of gas through the Republic of Azerbaijan are currently being reviewed behind closed doors.

Marshavin further proposed to the countries of the region to share their energy strategy in the horizon of 2050 AD and in this way, provide the possibility of formulating a common strategy and providing mutual assistance in meeting each other's energy needs.

Gratitude to Iran for gas swap to Nakhchivan

In this meeting, Elshad Nasirov, the vice president of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), also stated that all the countries of the South Caucasus region, Iran, Russia and Turkey are connected to each other by pipeline, and said: We are grateful to Iran for the gas swap from the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Nakhchivan.

In another part of his speech, referring to the ongoing negotiations for the transfer of Russian gas to Iran, he said: due to the existence of gas transfer infrastructure, this plan can be implemented without much investment, but by carrying out repairs on the existing pipelines and solutions such as pressure boosting.

Baku's positive opinion regarding the memorandum of understanding for gas transfer from Russia to Iran

Stating that the Republic of Azerbaijan has a positive opinion about the plan to transfer Russian gas to Iran, Nasirov expressed hope that the authorities of Tehran and Moscow will reach an agreement on the remaining issues to turn their memorandum into a contract.

In another part of his speech, the vice president of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan stated that Baku has made preparations for the supply of gasoline and diesel needed by Armenia and said: Such cooperation will strengthen peace in the South Caucasus.

Armenia's readiness to develop energy cooperation in the region

Eduard Martirosyan, head of Armenia's nuclear power plant, also stated that this power plant supplies between 30 and 40 percent of the country's electricity needs, and declared Yerevan's readiness to strengthen energy cooperation with other countries in the region.

He pointed out that Armenia has good cooperation in energy exchange with Iran, Russia and Georgia, and plans to improve relations with Azerbaijan and Baku in the field of energy in the future.

Archil Sikharolidze, head of Sikha Research Foundation located in the capital of Georgia, also considered the pressures of the United States and Europe as the key obstacle for Tbilisi to strengthen cooperation with Iran and Russia as two large and influential countries in the region, as well as active participation in the 3+3 format mechanism for peace in the South Caucasus.

He clarified: This issue has been associated with different views in Tbilisi, and in the meantime, some Georgian experts believe that even if this country stops economic growth, it should be with America and Europe.

Sikharolidze said: Considering that cooperation in the form of 3+3 is facing problems in terms of Tbilisi's political will and restrictions created from outside Georgia, but considering that these cooperations, especially in the field of energy, can be constructive for this country, it would be very good if the participating countries in this cooperation mechanism continue to wait for Georgia.

The 3+3 format includes three South Caucasus countries (Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia) and three neighboring countries of this region, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran, whose goal is to resolve regional issues by these neighboring countries.

The 8th International Forum "Russian Energy Week" was opened in Moscow on Wednesday, October 22, 1405 with the message of the President of this country, and ended its work today, Friday. The key issues of the development of fuel and energy sector, interregional cooperation and the formation of international cooperation in the energy industry were aspects of this event.

This year's program of this forum included more than 30 specialized meetings with the presence of more than 100 international speakers on topics such as the transformation of the oil market, the development of the gas market, investment in the electricity industry, new energies, environment and energy efficiency, international cooperation and education and labor.