Azernews.Az

Cooperation between Turkey and Iran in oil sphere will continue despite the decisions of the U.S. and the EU, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said, Anadoly Agency reported.

"Turkish Tupras company continues to import Iranian oil, and so far, there are no changes to consider," he said.

Yildiz added that the UN decisions on Iran's oil sector are important for Turkey, while sanctions from other sides are not considered crucial.

In 2010, Tupras bought 7.41 million tons of Iranian oil, which makes almost 38 percent of the oil processed in the amount of 19.6 million tons by the company last year.

Tupras was established in 1983 and is one of the largest in Europe. The company has four oil refineries, a petrochemical complex and provides about 85 percent of oil refining in Turkey.

The U.S., UK and Canada announced about imposing unilateral sanctions against Iran and the energy and financial sectors of the Iranian economy on Nov. 21, 2011. The French authorities proposed to impose new 'unprecedented' sanctions, including freezing of assets of the Central Bank of Iran, as well as to stop the purchase of Iranian oil.

The U.S., Israel and several Western countries suspect Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons. The Iranian government says its nuclear programme is peaceful.