Statement by
H.E. Mr. Alireza MOAIYERI
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
At the
Seventeenth Session of the Working Party on Gas
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
Geneva, 23 January 2007
Mr. President,
First, I would like to extend my thanks to the UN Economic Commission for Europe and the Working Party for the live discussions held during this session.
Clearly, it has been the intent of the Working Party to promote discussions on assuring sustainable and secure supply of gas for the ECE region; no matter if the source of gas is from within the ECE region or outside it. As a country outside the ECE and at the same time bordering five of its members, Islamic Republic of Iran is the world second largest owner of gas reserves, though still a newcomer in gas export market. Nevertheless, we remain keen and committed to share our resources with our partners in Europe or in Asia, provided that the international environment warrants a secure and sustainable environment for forging long-term ties and completing exploration and exploitation of the resources as well as the transit infrastructure to access international markets. We have had, since long, some of the transit pipelines to access international markets in place. We need is to exert joint efforts with our partners to find the right loops and links to complement the chain of supply to the ECE region. Though, I am afraid to say that the international political and financial setting seems to be inimical to this goal which entails the concept of energy security. Restrictive political and financial measures, is a clear disincentive for our partners within the ECE region, thus contrary to goal of supply stability and expansion. Despite the fact that we would face relatively lesser difficulties in launching gas deals with our partners in Asia, but imposition of financial restrictions on the second largest holder of gas reserves would eventually lead to rise in the cost of achieving sustainable supply of gas to the ECE region.
Thank you.
