Kuwait- Iran's gas output to hit one bln cm in 2 yrs- Pres. Rouhani

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) TEHRAN Nov 24 (KUNA) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on Monday that his country plans to boost its annual gas output to one billion cubic meters within next two years from the current 600 million c/m.He made the announcement in his address to the third summit meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) according to Iran's IRNA news agency."This summit is of special importance and it is the first international meeting after the Vienna nuclear talks and the praiseworthy welcome and presence of nine world leaders in the summit shows that all countries are looking for increasing their communications under the present conditions in the region and the world especially with the Islamic Republic of Iran" he said.The third GECF summit came to a close tonight by issuing Tehran Declaration that referred to the natural gas as "a fuel of choice for sustainable development." The final statement affirmed the member states' determination to: "support the common interests of GECF Member Countries by implementing coordinated policies and strategies at the international level to enhance the overall socio-economic benefits of their natural gas resources; "Promote natural gas consumption as the cleanest fossil fuel with a vital role in the global energy mix aiming to archived Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for a clear reliable and efficient source of energy (to be convened and integrated international deliberations of COP 21); and "Enhance efforts in joint investments among Member Countries with the aim of providing efficient and reliable natural gas supply to world markets.On the sidelines of the summit Iranian Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met to underline the need for the further expansion of bilateral ties and mutual cooperation.President Rouhani pointed to the good and friendly relations of Iran and Russia in different sectors and said" "Fortunately in recent months we have taken valuable steps for further development of Iran-Russia relations in bilateral and international domains and this trend should continue." The Iranian president said that Tehran and Moscow share views on many important regional and international issues.Regarding the fight against terrorism he said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran is serious in fighting terrorism and Russia also specially in recent months have taken effective measures in fighting terrorism in the region." The Russian president for his part said that the GECF decided to facilitate the gas exporting countries to have gas cooperation with each other and also with the Iranian friends in different fields.President Putin voiced satisfaction with his meeting with President Rouhani at the presence of the two countries' ministers and heads of different organizations. "These talks were in continuation of the negotiations I had with Iranian Leader" the Russian president added.The two leaders attended the signing ceremony of seven documents on cooperation in various fields.The deals signed by the two countries' high ranking officials include an the agreement to facilitate mutual travel conditions for the citizens of the two countries; a memorandum of understanding on health cooperation and railways between Garmsar and Inchebroon ; and a MoU on energy cooperation. (pickup previous) fz.gb