Deputy Minister: Iranian, Russian Technology Parks to Ink MoU

“Following development of knowledge-based industries plan, a visit was made to two Moscow technology parks (during the recent trip of the Oil Minister Javad Owji to Russia) named Technopolis and Skolkova and it was decided that a draft MoU of cooperation with the Technopolis park would be prepared, signed and exchanged between the two parties during the meeting of the two countries’ joint commission,” Asadzadeh was quoted by Shana as saying.

“These technology parks consist of knowledge-based companies with advanced technology in the field of Russian oil and gas industries. During this visit, a part of the capabilities of these companies was observed. The issue of technology is one of the axes that, if seriously addressed, will deepen the strategic relations of the two countries,” he added.

“In the round table of the energy projects of the Caspian Sea littoral countries, which was held on the sidelines of the Caspian Economic Forum, we proposed on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran that two categories of infrastructural and case issues should be included in the agenda of this meeting and should be continuously followed up. The attendees welcomed the proposal. The development of the oil and gas fields of the Caspian Sea, the establishment of transportation corridors and energy connections between the countries bordering the Caspian Sea, and the formation of the Caspian Joint Investment Fund in order to develop energy projects were among the proposals that were presented in this meeting,” Asadzadeh said.

He added that the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) will develop eight oil and gas fields in the country in cooperation with Russia’s Gazprom company.

During Owji’s visit to Moscow implementation of the comprehensive memorandum of understanding with Gazprom was followed up, Asadzadeh said.

He added that the Russian side is drawing a comprehensive development plan for six oil fields and two gas fields in Iran and contracts for these fields are planned to be signed by the end of the current calendar year, which began on March 21.

Referring to Owji and his accompanying delegation’s visit to Moscow to participate in the Caspian Economic Forum, Asadzadeh said, “In the trip, the Oil Minister met Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexander Novak and the head of the Russian side of the Joint Economic Commission and consulted on holding a joint commission in Russia from October 30 to November 1 and it was decided that the two sides should finalize and prepare the roadmap for cooperation as soon as possible.”

“Another issue that was pursued in this conference concerns accelerating implementation of the comprehensive MoU with Gazprom. The Russian side is preparing a comprehensive development plan for six oil fields and two large gas fields in Iran, and we hope to see the signing of contracts for these oil and gas fields by the end of the year.”

He added that on the sidelines of the Caspian Economic Forum, useful meetings were also held with the officials of Gazpromneft and Zarubzhneft companies, and the two sides exchanged views on the fields of cooperation.

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