Turkey today signed an agreement with neighbouring Iran for joint power production projects despite US pressure against investment in the Islamic republic.
Energy Minister Hilmi Guler played down US discontent with flourishing energy cooperation between its NATO ally Turkey and Iran, saying more agreements would be concluded in the coming days. 'The signing (of agreements) will continue. Our efforts are continuing,' Guler told a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart Parviz Fattah after the two signed the power production deal.
Fattah also hailed the improvement of Turkish-Iranian economic cooperation. 'Our improving ties may annoy some circles but they will harm no one,' he said through an interpreter. 'They have to accept that.'
Today's agreement foresees the joint construction of three thermal power plants -- two in Iran and one in Turkey -- with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts each, as well as several hydroelectric plants in Iran with a total capacity of 10,000 megawatts, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Under the deal, transmission lines between Iran and Turkey will be upgraded and expanded within a year. 'After we enhance the lines, both countries will take as much power as they need,' Guler said.
Public and private companies will be involved in the project, whose cost will become clear early next year after technical work by the private sector, he said.
Energy Minister Hilmi Guler played down US discontent with flourishing energy cooperation between its NATO ally Turkey and Iran, saying more agreements would be concluded in the coming days. 'The signing (of agreements) will continue. Our efforts are continuing,' Guler told a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart Parviz Fattah after the two signed the power production deal.
Fattah also hailed the improvement of Turkish-Iranian economic cooperation. 'Our improving ties may annoy some circles but they will harm no one,' he said through an interpreter. 'They have to accept that.'
Today's agreement foresees the joint construction of three thermal power plants -- two in Iran and one in Turkey -- with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts each, as well as several hydroelectric plants in Iran with a total capacity of 10,000 megawatts, the Anatolia news agency reported.
Under the deal, transmission lines between Iran and Turkey will be upgraded and expanded within a year. 'After we enhance the lines, both countries will take as much power as they need,' Guler said.
Public and private companies will be involved in the project, whose cost will become clear early next year after technical work by the private sector, he said.
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