Russian gas supply contributes to development of Central Asia - Putin
MOSCOW. Nov 8 (Interfax) - The launch of the Central Asian gas pipeline network in the reverse mode and the beginning of Russian gas supply will contribute to the development of Central Asia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda newspaper ahead of his official visit to Kazakhstan.
Russian natural gas supply to Uzbekistan via Kazakhstan was launched at a ceremony on October 7, Putin said.
"This route will make it possible to make the most efficient use of existing gas transport networks and will contribute to the development not only of our three countries, but also of the entire Central Asian region. In the future, we believe it would be advisable to hold consultations with our colleagues from Turkmenistan. They traditionally participate in these markets. It would be in our common interests to involve them in such cooperation," Putin said.
"Interaction in the gas industry opens up broad prospects. This is explained, among other things, by the infrastructure and routes of gas transmission and gas distribution systems in Russia and Central Asia established over many years and the high level of coordination both bilaterally and multilaterally. [...] Among the latest agreements, is a strategic cooperation agreement providing for gas exploration, production, processing and transportation signed on 1 November this year on the margins of the St. Petersburg International Gas Forum by Alexei Miller, Head of Gazprom, and Roman Sklyar, First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan." Putin said.
"As for Kazakhstan, Russia is ready to assist in gasification of its northern and eastern regions in accordance with the Roadmap for cooperation in the gas sector signed by Gazprom and the Government of Kazakhstan on January 18 this year," he said. Currently, various options are being worked out to debug the relevant gas transmission infrastructure.
"Nature and geography give Russia and Kazakhstan significant competitive advantages in the energy sector, which we strive to maximize for the benefit of our fellow citizens. Leading Russian companies Gazprom, Rosneft, Lukoil, and Tatneft, together with their partners from Kazakhstan, are developing fields and building joint ventures to process energy resources and plan to increase mutually beneficial cooperation," Putin said. "Our countries are constructively interacting in the oil sector. Using the logistic facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, we transport oil to the global markets in the most reliable and cost-effective way. Together with our OPEC+ partners we make a significant contribution to ensuring stability and predictability of the global oil market," he added.