“During the tenure of the previous Iranian administration between 2005 and 2013, Turkmengaz cut off its gas exports to Iran in 3 phases, causing serious problems for resident in the northern parts of the country,” Nouri said.
“In 2013, Turkmengaz cut off the flow of gas in a bid to receive overdue payments. Finally, it was decided that the National Iranian Gas Company’s debts to Turkmengaz be paid in the form of a loan with interest as stipulated in an addendum to an agreement,” he added.
“The previous administration had agreed to pay its overdue debts at 7.5 % interest,” which, after discussions, turned into a loan at a 5% interest rate. Basically, neither had Turkmengaz requested compensation, nor had the arbiters issued a ruling that would suggest the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) would have to pay damages or fines to Turkmenistan, he noted.
“The arbiters simply finalized the debts of the NIGC and issued the Iranian side with an order requiring it to pay its debts to Turkmenistan,” the official underlined.
“In return, part of the NIGC’s demand for compensation over the quality and quantity of the gas delivered by Turkmenistan was accepted, and was accordingly deducted from Iran’s debts to Turkmenistan,” he said.
He said there has not been any conflict between Teheran and Ashgabat, and that the argument mentioned above was just a trade dispute between the two sides. The official noted that Iran has always sought good economic relations with Turkmenistan.
