06-11-04

Iran wants China to replace Japan as its biggest importer of oil and gas, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh was reported as saying.
"Japan is our number one energy importer due to historical reasons... but we would like to give preference to exports to China," Zanganeh was quoted as saying. "From the supply side, we have no difficulties (in making China the top energy oil importer from Iran)," the minister added.

Iran and China signed a preliminary accord under which China will buy 10 mm tpy of LNG for 25 years in a deal worth $ 100 bn. The memorandum of understanding also grants to Chinese oil giant Sinopec the right to exploit the Yadavaran oil field on a buy-back basis in cooperation with a major international oil company.
Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said in Tehran that Beijing opposed US efforts to refer Iran to the United Nations’ Security Council over its nuclear programme.
"It would only make the issue more complicated and difficult to work out," Li said.

The United States accuses Iran of secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons under cover of its civilian atomic energy program and wants the UN watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to take Iran before the UN Security Council when the IAEA meets in Vienna end of this month.

Source: Agence France Presse