Greek-Turkish deal allows Iranian gas exports to Europe

BBC Monitoring Middle East

21-01-04 The recent agreement between Greece and Turkey on the construction of an 
interconnection between their countries' gas networks to carry natural gas supplies opens 
the possibilities of export of Iranian natural gas to Europe, say EU sources.  
"This agreement opens fully the door for Iran to export natural gas to Europe. Iran is one 
of the main beneficiaries," one EU source told. 

European Commissioner for Transport and Energy Loyola de Palacio, commenting on 
the Greek-Turkish agreement, said 20 January that it will not only bolster peace and 
stability in the region but will also make it possible to supply new gas resources from the 
Caspian basin and Iran to the internal gas market of the enlarged European Union.  
A gas pipeline between Iran and Turkey is already in operation, while Athens and Tehran 
are discussing to extend the pipeline to Greece and at a later stage to Western Europe. 
EU and Iran are engaged in a dialogue to promote energy cooperation between the two 
sides.  

"We have no problems with Iran in energy cooperation. This agreement will have an 
impact on Iran," said the sources.