TEHRAN - By the end of the current week, Russia would sign an agreement with Iran to set up in the country a thermal power plant which would generate 1400 megawatts (MW), said Iranian Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian.

Chitchian made the remarks after his meeting with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak in Tehran on Monday.

Heading a large trade delegation, Novak arrived in Tehran on Sunday where he met Chitchian, as well as Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh and Communications and Information Technology Minister Mahmoud Vaezi who is also the head of Iran-Russia economic committee.

Renovating power producing facilities in Iran is also among the fields of cooperation between the two countries, said Chitchian.

According to him, the subject of linking the power grids of Iran, Russia, Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan would be further discussed in April in Tbilisi.

Chitchian noted that Iran-Russia joint economic commission would do the follow-up on the implementation of the terms of agreement.

Novak, for his part, said Russia intends to build nuclear power plants in Iran and build electricity transmission lines with the country through Azerbaijan and Armenia.

In future, Novak said, the two sides would expand their relations by employing modern technologies, sharing experience and tapping into the solar sources of energy which is abundant in the both countries and require joint projects for further development.

*** Iran-Russia agree on $30 billion of projects

Meanwhile, in his meeting with Novak, Vaezi put the value of projects signed between the two sides at $30 billion, adding that they also clinched an agreement for support of investment, the IRNA news agency reported.

Vaezi said, “The volume of our trade with Russia currently stands at $1.5 million which is expected to double in the next year by implementing the projects we agreed upon.”

According to the agreements, Vaezi said, air flights between the two countries would increase and the travel of individuals and trucks across Iran-Russia borders would be made easier.

--- Gazprom proposes gas deal with Iran

Elsewhere in his remarks, Novak said Gazprom, Russia’s state gas monopoly, has put forward proposals for the development of oil fields in Iran.

He underscored Moscow’s desire to strengthen trade relations with Iran and said the countries were considering opening a free-trade zone, according to reports from Russia’s Tass news agency.

Sanctions against Iran were lifted in January and Western and Russian gas and oil companies have been keen to close deals with Iran and gain access to the country’s natural resources.



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