Monday 27 February 2017 - 15:01
Story Code : 252851
New energy project proves 'Unprecedented Level of Trust' between Iran, Russia
In mid-December 2016 Russian company Technopromexport and an Iranian holding company signed an agreement onthe construction ofa thermal power plant (TPP) inIran.
The construction is expected totake four and a half years. The deal includes four 350-megawatt energy blocks and a desalting facility witha daily capacity of200,000 cubic meters.
Funds for construction will be provided withinthe framework ofa 1.2 billion ($1.27 billion) export loan extended byMoscow toTehran forfive years.
According toan agreement signed inJuly 2016, Russia is expected toprovide a loan tofund 85 percent ofthe construction costs, while the rest will be provided byIran.
According toIranian political analyst and commentator Sajjad Tayeri, there is no reason tobe concerned aboutthe projects future sinceIran is very confident incooperation withRussia.
"Lets recall the Bushehr nuclear power plant built byRussian partners. This project puts mutual confidence toan unprecedented level," Tayeri told Sputnik Persian.
The expert continued that afterthe nuclear deal was reached many European and Asian countries has expressed interest towork withIran.
Iran and the six international mediators reached an agreement onJuly 14, 2015 onthe settlement ofthe long-term Iranian nuclear problem. The milestone deal was followed bythe removal ofinternational sanctions againstTehran.
In 2016, Iran began tocompensate losses intrade and economic ties, afteryears ofsanctions. Foreign investments play the key role indeveloping the Iranian economy. According toestimates obtained bySputnik, Tehran will need nearly $500 billion inthe coming five toseven years.
"Russia pioneered the investment trend because previously it had already had a productive cooperation experience withIran. During the period ofsanctions, many countries lost Tehrans trust. However, Russia supported Iran inthe UN Security Council. Since Moscow and Tehran has developed energy partnership, Moscow was the first toreach a major deal tobuild a thermal power plant inIran," Tayeri pointed out.
The expert underscored that the Sirik TPP is not only aimed atresolving energy problems inthe province ofHormozgan, butis also strategically important.
"This is a vivid example forother partners. Russia wants toshow that it has long been a reliable partner forIran and will continue tobe committed tothis cooperation. This is an example forother countries that obligations should not be violated. Were seeing now that some ofour partners have changed their rhetoric sincethe nuclear deal was signed," he said.
Moreover, Iran-Russia cooperation proves that Tehran is a reliable destination forinvestments inthe Middle East, according toTayeri.
"This is why if a country wants tocooperate and places bets onIran it will never lose. It could also win political gains fromsuch cooperation, including boosting ties and mutual trust. In terms ofeconomic and political cooperation withIran, Russia has better prospects thanother countries," he concluded.
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