APA- Tehran is not interested in export of Turkmen gas to Turkey through Iran via swap operations, Iranian Deputy Oil Minister Hamid Reza Araqi said.

According to him, Turkey is one of the traditional gas markets of Iran: “We are against sale of rival country’s gas to Turkey via swap operations”.

However, the deputy minister added that there is not any problem in sale of Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan or Armenia in this way.

Armenian Minister of Energy Infrastructure and Natural Resources Ashot Manukyan said that Yerevan, Ashgabat and Tehran are conducting negotiations on Turkmen gas transit to Armenia: “Iran’s territory is only option for transportation of Turkmen gas transit to Armenia, but lack of gas pipelines will lead to increase in costs. There will be held a meeting of experts in order to discuss transit possibility and pricing issues”.

The minister also noted that Armenia is ready for increase of gas imported from Iran: “This depends on Iranian side’s conditions. Russia’s tariffs are too low. If Iran offers lower tariffs, we’re ready for negotiations. However, the matter must be about long-term transportation”.

Manukyan noted that Armenia-Iran program “gas in exchange for energy” will continue.