Iranian Deputy Oil Minister for International Affairs Amir Hossein Zamaninia described the fresh round of negotiations between Iran and Greece adding “during the two-day visit to the European country, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was sealed for meeting Hellenic Petroleum’s debt to Iran.”
Zamaninia further noted that the Prime Minister of Greece Alexis Tsipras will make a visit to Tehran in February asserting “the cooperation agreements between Iran and Greece will become finalized in the upcoming trip.”
In response to a question about holding talks on buying Greek refineries, the official said “Iran’s private sector is eager to participate in the plan and Iranian Oil Ministry would back the country’s participation in Hellenic Petroleum refinery.”
Previously at a meeting with Foreign Minister of Greece Nikos Kotzias, Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh had announced Hellenic Petroleum’s amount of debt to be 755 million dollars; “proposal have been made on paying off the debt,” he had asserted.
Zanganeh had also touched upon the purchasing of stocks at Greek oil refineries adding “an Iranian company is willing to buy shares at the European country’s refineries, a decision which will enjoy the support of the Iranian Oil Ministry.”
“Iran’s Oil Ministry would not partake in buying foreign refineries though it marks a positive move on the part of Iranian firms,” he had stated.
HA/3033304