Dr. Rusnák had constructive and fruitful discussions with the Minister of Petroleum H.E. Bizhan Zangeneh regarding Iran's active participation to the ongoing Updated Energy Charter negotiations. The Minister expressed Iran's strong interest in further increasing its cooperation with the Energy Charter in the long run with an Updated Charter addressing energy producing countries' interests. The Research Institute of Petroleum, a subsidiary of the Iranian National Oil Company, confirmed its intention to join the Energy Charter’s Industry Advisory Panel. Dr. Rusnák also met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Abbas Araghchi, who expressed Iran's commitment to engage with the international community and particularly the Energy Charter constituency for mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy sector. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Energy H.E. Mr Chitchian highlighted that the process of updating the Energy Charter was viewed as "a gateway for Iran to join the Energy Charter constituency in the long run".