Gazprom, Mongolia sign memorandum on studying prospects for Ulaanbaatar gas infrastructure development

VLADIVOSTOK. Sept 5 (Interfax) - The head of Gazprom, Alexei Miller, and Mongolian Prime Minister Gombojavyn Zandanshatar have discussed prospects for cooperation in the gas industry, Gazprom said.

"During the working meeting, the advantages of using natural gas, an efficient and environmentally friendly energy source, for improving people's quality of life and industrial development were noted. In the presence of Alexei Miller and Gombojavyn Zandanshatar, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC Gazprom Vitaly Markelov and Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Sainbuyangiin Amarsaikhan signed a memorandum of cooperation on studying the prospects for the gas infrastructure development of Ulaanbaatar," it said.

Earlier, during a speech at the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum, Oyun-Erdene said that Mongolia, through whose territory a gas pipeline from Russia to China will be laid, could itself use Russian gas: "Mongolia is not only a transit country; Mongolia can also consume and purchase natural gas, connect major Mongolian cities to this gas pipeline; that is, carry out gas infrastructure development. This will help the development of our country's industry, combat environmental disasters such as smog in Ulaanbaatar in winter, and bring new opportunities to the Mongolian economy, including becoming a strategically important natural resource for addressing pressing issues."