'The reason for Zangeneh's presence in the conference is to hold talks with some renowned German firms which can influence Iran's oil industry in the future,' Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs and Trading Amirhossein Zamaninia told FNA on Wednesday.
A team of German energy experts recently visited Iran's gas rich regions in South Pars, Southern Iran, he said, adding that Zangeneh's visit can also result in the development of Iran's oil industry.
Germany eyes energy ties with Iran
Germany signaled interest in cooperating with Iran in the energy sector once a comprehensive nuclear deal is finalized, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Berlin on Wednesday.
Asked by IRNA, if Iran could be a serious alternative for Germany as an energy source, Martin Schaefer replied that the 'proper moment' to pose that question would be the day when a nuclear accord is reached and the sanctions are lifted.
He welcomed though business contacts between German and Iranian energy companies as long as they don't violate the sanctions regime.
Schaefer did reiterate that the Iran nuclear negotiations had entered a 'decisive phase.'
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the German economic ministry said while she could not properly assess as to whether Iran could be a serious alternative for meeting German energy needs, she did point out that her country was in fact diversifying its energy resources.
According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and deputy chairperson of the German Near and Middle East Association (NUMOV) Helene Rang, German companies in the energy, steel and pharmaceutical sector are especially interested in doing business with Iran.
NUMOV is Germany's oldest and largest non-profit and independent business service provider for the Near East and Middle East regions.
In December, several German companies declared their readiness to partner in Iran's oil and gas exploration projects.
The representatives of German companies negotiated with officials of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to take part in joint venture projects with the country.
The latest cooperation between Iran and German companies was in shale gas and oil projects.
In August, a senior energy official announced that Iran is cooperating with renowned German energy firms in its shale gas and oil projects.
Iran has vast shale oil and gas reserves in the West and the South. While some market analysts believe that shale oil and gas reserves might endanger market prices for conventional oil and gas, Iran's oil minister said he does not see the situation this way.
By IRNA
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