TEHRAN (PIN) -- Minister of Petroleum Seyyed Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh her Sunday said the signing a 30-billion-dollar deal with the Austrian company OMV is the biggest stride thus far taken toward exporting gas to Europe.

The minister told reporters on the sidelines of the 12th Oil, Gas, and Petrochemicals Exhibition that the European countries should find a solution to problems facing Iran for transport of gas to Europe through Turkey.

“To solve the problem, we can consider a timetable for exporting gas to Europe,” he said.

The minister added that Saturday’s contract, which is worth 30 billion dollars, is an agreement for selling liquefied natural gas (LNG) and participating in the implementation of the project.

“According to the contract, Austria’s OMV will take part in developing Phase 12 of South Pars gas field and Iran will, in return, sell LNG to the company,” he said.

Referring to the beginning of development plan of Phase 12, Vaziri-Hamaneh noted that the agreement is of high importance to Iran.

Asked about performance of the 12th oil show, the minister said the current year’s exhibition has been more successful than those in the preceding years.

“Totally 519 foreign companies took part at the 12th Oil, Gas, and Petrochemicals Exhibition, which is up by 5-6 percent compared to last year’s figure,” he noted.