Putin: Russia interested in transit of energy resources through Vietnam to other countries

MOSCOW. Sept 9 (Interfax) - Russia is engaged in a dialogue with Vietnam on organizing the transit of supplies of energy resources to neighboring countries, President Vladimir Putin said following talks with the general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party's Central Committee, Vietnamese President To Lam.

"Our companies are interested in establishing transit supplies of energy resources through Vietnamese territory to neighboring states. Incidentally, these neighboring states are also turning to us with a request to organize this work together with our Vietnamese friends," Putin said.

Russia also suggested that Vietnamese partners consider the idea of jointly forming strategic fuel reserves in their country, Putin said. A framework agreement on this issue was concluded during the Vietnamese president's visit between Zarubezhneft and Petrovietnam. Another document signed between the companies concerns the distribution of investments in blocks on Vietnam's continental shelf.

In his speech, Putin also noted the work of Gazprom in Vietnam, recalling that last year the company launched LNG supplies to the country. As reported, the shipment was dispatched from the Sakhalin-2 project.