07-09-04

Visiting Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Surakiat Sathianthai called for bolstering of Iran-Thailand cooperation in the field of energy, particularly in the oil industry.

His remarks were heard at a meeting with Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, the public relations department of the Oil Ministry announced.

The Thai minister, speaking of Tehran-Bangkok economic relations, invited Thai oil companies to increase their presence in the Iranian oil industry. Sathianthai assessed the presence of Thailand’s oil companies in different sectors of the oil industry as "important," saying their scientific and technical experiences are valuable. Zanganeh, for his part, called Tehran-Bangkok ties "conspicuous."

"Due to the increasing demand for energy in Thailand, Iran can be a good provider of its oil, gas and petrochemical needs," he said.

Alluding to the rise in production and export of Iranian petrochemicals, Zanganeh urged upgrading of the countries` commercial cooperation in the petrochemicals sector.

The Iranian oil minister said he hoped his ministry’s support and Thailand’s increasing global demand for fuel would have a positive effect on bilateral economic and oil ties. He expressed Iran’s readiness to expand relations, particularly in the different sectors of the oil industry.

Source: Islamic Republic News Agency