5 Dec 2017 18:41

Ashgabat and Tehran to settle Iran's gas debts at int'l court

ASHGABAT. Dec 5 (Interfax) - Ashgabat has supported Tehran's proposal to settle the issue of Iran's debts for Turkmen natural gas at an international court of arbitration.

During a videoconference conducted by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow with Cabinet members, State Minister and Chairman of Turkmengaz Myrat Archayev informed the president about Iran's considerable debt for Turkmen natural gas delivered under bilateral intergovernmental agreements and a contract with the National Iranian Gas Company.

Archayev said that the sides failed to reach consensus on the issue in the course of meetings and talks with Iranian representatives.

The Iranian side had suggested taking the issue to an international court of arbitration to find a mutually acceptable and impartial solution.

After hearing the arguments of the head of Turkmengaz, Berdimuhamedow gave instructions to support the proposal of the National Iranian Gas Company to appeal to an international arbitration court and compile documents for the upcoming procedure.