SHANA -Iran and Austria have held talks to bolster oil and energy ties, a senior Iranian energy official said.

Amir Hossein Zamaninia, deputy petroleum minister for international affairs and trading, who accompanied President Hassan Rouhani in his visit to Switzerland and Austria, outlined the visit’s achievements, saying the agreement on energy cooperation between the Iranian Ministry of Petroleum and the Energy and the Austrian Energy Ministry was extended during the visit.

The deal concerns providing petroleum training and cooperation as well as investment in renewable energies in Iran.

The official further said oil trade talks between Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh and Suhail Mohammed Al Marzouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Industry and the President of the OPEC Conference in Vienna on July 22, were continuing in Vienna.

Mr. Zamaninia went on to highlight export of natural gas from Iran to European countries, saying: “Austria wants natural gas to be exported from the Caspian Sea littoral states and Iran to Europe; talks have been held and Iran has indicated its keenness in this regard.”

At the same time, he said the Joint Energy Committee of Iran and Austria also discussed export of gas to the European Union; in addition, talks were held with Austrian officials on topics like alternative energies and enhancing energy consumption optimization in Iran.