Tabriz (IP) - Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian has stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran would like to continue its activities in the region as the focal point and hub of energy activities.

Iran Press/Iran news: Energy Minister Reza Ardakanian talked about Iran's cooperation on energy matters with neighbouring countries by saying: "Iran is a major producer of electricity in this region, and Iran has good connections with all neighbouring countries, especially Turkmenistan and Tajikistan. We have a common border with Turkmenistan, and we have excellent relations with both of those countries."

In an interview with IranPress in Tabriz, in northwestern Iran, he stated that Iran has good political relations with Tajikistan and added: Iran is currently negotiating about energy issues with Tajikistan for investment purposes.

Ardakanian added: "We have good cultural and political relations with Tajikistan. The country has a huge amount of water and is ideally placed for producing electricity via hydroelectric power plants, given the topography of the country and its abundant water resources. We have had good discussions with Tajikistan regarding investments in the electricity-generation industry, and transfer of electric power to Tajikistan."

Turning to Turkmenistan, Ardakanian said: "We import electricity from Turkmenistan and discussions are on-going about the installation of a third transmission line between Iran and Turkmenistan. In the future, when that transmission line becomes operational, we may expand the possibilities of energy transfer between Iran and Turkmenistan. We have a good relationship regarding the management of water resources with Turkmenistan also, and we have constructed a joint dam, the friendship dam, with Turkmenistan, and we think there are many ways to cooperate between the two countries." 

Ardakanian also talked about Iran-Turkmenistan energy cooperation: "In addition to electricity, the two countries have good plans for cooperation in the management of water resources as well."

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