TEHRAN, Nov. 18 (MNA) � The new round of Iran-Turkmenistan talks to complete the 400kv electricity transmission line from Mary to Sarakhs was held in Tehran.


Iran and Turkmenistan conducted a new round of negotiations in Tehran on Tuesday to design and build a new transmission line between the two countries.

Accordingly, Hoshang Falahatian, Iran�s Deputy Energy Minister, and the vice-chairman of Turkmenenergo State Electric Energy Corporation met in Tehran to accelerate the construction and operation of a 400kv transmission line.

Describing the axis of electric negotiations conducted with the Turkmen side, Falahatian said, �construction and implementation of the electricity transmission line was the centerpiece of the meeting.�

�Currently, the construction of the line in Iran has become executive and the operation in the territory of Turkmenistan will soon begin after the issuance of necessary permits,� he explained.

The official referred to the visit to Ashgabat and meeting with Turkmenistan�s energy minister asserting �at the session, Iran suggested the construction of Mary-Sarakhs 400kv line to the Turkmen minister and good results were achieved there.�

On the cooperation with the Turkmen company, the official�said, �if the Turkmen corporation possesses the authority to decide on the project, they need to announce readiness after leaving Iran so that the project will get launched.�

He pointed out that upon receiving characteristics and specifications of the Mary-Sarakhs line, the costs of the project will be estimated; �at the moment, 15 million dollars via�Afghanistan and 5 million dollars via Turkey will be paid to the Turkmen company in order to advance the project,� Falahatian added.

Estimating that the sanctions are expected to�be lifted in two months leading to a resolution on financial problems, the official reiterated �with the completion and operation of the project, the volume of trade between Iran and Turkmenistan will increase significantly.�

The field studies of the 400kv line between Mary and Sarakhs for electricity exports began about seven years ago and the executive steps started three or four years ago with a length of 170 kilometers in Iran while its implementation in Turkmenistan's territory with the length of 165 kilometers will soon be carried out after reaching a final agreement.

By Mehr News Agency