21 Sep 2011 16:24

Putin, Merkel awaiting Nord Stream launch

MOSCOW. Sept 21 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said they are satisfied with the steadiness of the bilateral energy dialogue and hope for its development.

In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Putin and Merkel "discussed the current issues regarding trade and economic cooperation, with an emphasis on energy cooperation," the Russian Prime Minister's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, told Interfax.

Both sides "expressed satisfaction with the forthcoming launch of the Nord Stream gas pipeline due in a month," he said.

"Putin and Merkel also acknowledged the steady nature of the energy dialogue, with its continuing trend toward expansion," the Russian premier's spokesman said.