China suggests boosting Russian oil supplies by 2.5 mln tonnes per year via Kazakhstan; Russia is ready, infrastructure requires expansion

MOSCOW. May 19 (Interfax) - China has suggested that Russia boost oil supplies via Kazakhstan by 2.5 million tonnes per year, and Russia is ready to do this, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters when speaking about the protocol on amendments to the intergovernmental agreement approved by the Russian government.

"This is a proposal from the Chinese side, and we are ready to ensure these supplies, though we must implement certain technological solutions for this," Novak said, specifying that this concerns supplying Russian oil via Kazakhstan.

"Certain measures must be taken in the area of pipeline transport, and work is currently underway on this," Novak also said.

Novak added that talks are continuing on Chinese companies entering oil and gas production projects in Russia. "A meeting was held recently. We discussed this. Negotiations will continue. Talks are underway regarding all commercial relations, with ongoing contact between the companies. I hope that additional agreements are reached," he said.

Novak also said that instructions were given regarding the contract for gas supplies to Serbia [which end in May] following talks between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Instructions were given, and Gazprom is working on it," he said.