Iran, Next Host Of Gas Exporting Countries Forum

Moscow, June 30, IRNA – Ministers attending the second Gas Exporting Countries Forum agreed with Iranˈs Oil Minister proposal on holding the next meeting in Iran. The ministers approved of the proposal by consensus here on Saturday. The details of holding the third forum will be decided on later. Rostam Qassemi heading a high ranking delegation arrived in Moscow on Saturday. Qassemi, in a meeting with Energy Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak, discussed bilateral issues and international energy market here on Saturday. Qassemi also delivered a speech in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. Qassemi met with a number of energy ministers of the GECF members on the sidelines of the meeting. The GECF members are Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela and Oman. The Netherland, Kazakhstan, Norway and recently Iraq are observers in the forum. The ministerial level forum started its work on Saturday afternoon and the summit will be held in Kremlin Palace on Monday./end