Russia pledges to ratify energy charter but can't say when
AFP
MOSCOW
Petroleumworld.com 02 10 06
Russia is ready to ratify an energy charter aimed at facilitating
its gas flow to Europe but is unable to say when, Finance Minister
Alexei Kudrin said here Thursday.
"Russia must develop its gas network in order to provide
access to everyone, including private companies, and we are working
on it," he told a press conference.
"In that context we are going to ratify the charter,"
he said, but added that "we cannot set a date for the moment."
The charter, drafted in 1991 by the European Union's executive
commission, aims to improve energy cooperation between the EU
and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Russia has signed
the text but has yet to ratify it.
France during a meeting here Friday and Saturday of Group of Eight
finance mimisters is expected to urge Russia to ratify the charter,
which would provide access to Russia's gas pipeline network to
independent Russian gas producers.
At present Russian gas giant Gazprom has a monopoly on Russian
pipelines.
The G8 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,
Russia and the United States.
Energy security is expected to top the agenda at the upcoming
gathering of finance ministers.
AFP
02/09/06
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© 2006 AFP. All rights reserved
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