Sunday, August 17, 2008

Iran still hopeful on Turkey deals

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today he hoped his country and Turkey would soon sign deals, opposed by Washington, in the natural gas and electricity sectors.

Ahmadinejad was speaking in Istanbul during a two-day visit where the two neighbours have failed to conclude expected energy accords. Turkish sources have attributed this to new demands from Iran, including pricing and investment conditions, wrote Reuters. Turkey has come under fire for inviting Ahmadinejad, who has lobbied hard since coming to power in 2005 to visit Turkey. Ankara is a Nato member with strong ties with the US and Israel. Europe has shunned the Iranian leader, who has called for the destruction of Israel and defied international demands for a suspension of his country's nuclear enrichment programme - the subject of ongoing talks between Iran and Western powers. "We have reached important agreements on natural gas and electricity issues. God willing we will complete them as soon as possible," Ahmadinejad said. The US has voiced its opposition to the energy deal amid a standoff between Iran and Western countries and is trying to isolate the Islamic Republic over fears it is pursuing a secret nuclear weapons programme. Tehran denies this.
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