Russia, Iran negotiate on energy cooperation

TEHRAN, Feb 9 (Xinhua) :  Russia's oil giant, Lukoil, has started negotiations with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to explore and develop oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea, Press TV reported yesterday.

Lukoil has expressed desire to return to Iran's energy market in light of eased sanctions against the country, said Russian ambassador to Tehran Levan Dzhagaryan, who gave no further details.

Lukoil had been in talks for oil exploration in Anaran block in northern Iran before it pulled out of the project due to imposition of sanctions against Tehran's energy sector by the United States and the European Union.  Iran urged oil giants to invest in its oil and gas industries at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last month.

Since the new government took office, Iran's Oil Ministry has focused efforts on regaining Iran's status in the international markets.