Iran will soon take legal action against Turkmenistan's national gas company Turkmengaz for halting gas exports, Hamid Reza Araqi, Iran's deputy minister of petroleum said on Tuesday.
Turkmenistan has stopped natural gas exports to Iran from Jan. 1 because Turkmenistan claims that Iran has failed to make gas payments to them. However, Iran asserts that payments were made to Turkmengaz.
"Contrary to the minutes which were inked between National Iranian Gas Company [NIGC] and Turkmengaz in the closing days of 2016, the Turkmen side terminated gas exports to Iran on the first day of 2017," Araqi said.
He explained that the Turkmen side cut gas exports to Iran based on claims of miscalculations in payments and so far have refused to hold negotiations with the NIGC.
"They stopped gas deployment contrary to the provisions of the contract," he added.
Araqi underlined that despite the gas halt, no town or village has suffered from gas shortages in Iran.
"A deadline has been set for Turkmenistan and if they fail to ensure transparency of accounts between the two parties within the envisaged timespan, Iran will undoubtedly take the issue to international arbitration," he said, no further details on process.
Araqi emphasized Iran's readiness to begin negotiations with Turkmenistan.
By Dilara Zengin
Anadolu Agency
dilara.zengin@aa.com.tr
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