Turkey imports about 10 billion cubic meters of gas a year from Iran under a 25-year deal signed in 1996 but it has applied for an international court of arbitration on the pricing which it deems too expensive.
Given that the outcome of the first arbitration in the gas dispute was announced in Irans favor, the circumstances for the announcement of the second result will be also in Irans favor to a great extent, head of the international liaison office at the National Iranian Gas Company Azizollah Ramezani said.
The outcome of the arbitration has positively affected Irans gas industry, strengthening the countrys position as a reliable source of energy, the official said.
Perhaps, it is one of the reasons behind recent visits by foreign companies to Iran for gas negotiations.
As many as 170 foreign companies held gas negotiations with Iran last year, head of the National Iranian Gas Exports Company Alireza Kameli said on Friday.
Iran is Turkeys second supplier of gas after Russia, providing for one-fifth of the countrys consumption. Azerbaijan is another supplier.
Turkey says Irans price istoo high, charging $490 for every 1,000 cubic meters versus $335 and $425 by Azerbaijan and Russia respectively.
During an April visit to Tehran by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iran offered to double natural gas exports in return for a price cut which was turned down by Turkey.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="650"]
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (R) receives his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tehran in April.[/caption]Turkeys state-owned Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS) took the case to the court of international arbitration in 2012 for a ruling on the price. The case is still pending, with Ankara making a second effort for a ruling.
Ramezani said, The court of international arbitrations ruling is attentive to absolute rejection of BOTASs claims and acceptance of the defense made by the National Iranian Gas Company and Iran is in fact the relative winner of the dispute.
Despite the row, the Turks acknowledge Iran as a reliable source of energy, which could meet a substantial portion of Ankara's needs for natural gas, the official said.
Commercial ties between the two neighbors remain strong. Trade volume stood at $14 billion last year which the two countries plan to raise to $30 billion.
During President Erdogans visit to Tehran, Iran and Turkey signed eight documents to expand cooperation and boost trade.
By Press TV
