Dutch PM Expects to Sign Deal on Gasunie’s Joining Nord Stream Project in Moscow

MOSCOW. Oct 31 (Interfax) – Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of the Netherlands expects that a deal on the Dutch concern Gasunie’s joining the Nord Stream gas pipeline project and on Russian gas supplies through the Balgzand-Bacton Line gas pipeline will be finalized during his visit to Russia on November 5-8.

“It is my understanding that the intention is to have a contract signed during my visit to Russia,” Balkenende said in an interview with Interfax on Wednesday.

“The project will give a major impetus to the Netherlands’ ambition to become a gas hub in the northwest European market,” Balkenende said. “It is a good example of reciprocal investment that will benefit our energy relationship with Russia,” he said.

Asked whether he is satisfied with the fate of the Sakhalin-2 project, Balkenende said, “At the time, both President Putin and I felt that this affair should be settled in a mutually acceptable way. Eventually it was and our discussions contributed to that outcome.”

“I think it is important to look ahead now and ensure the success of this important and challenging project,” he said.

Asked to comment on accusations that Moscow aggressively behaves on the international energy market, Balkenende said, “Energy security is vital for our economies and depends on a predictable relationship between suppliers and consumers. So it is understandable that disturbances in that relationship cause some concern.”

At the same time, “Our experience is that Russia has always been a reliable supplier,” Balkenende said.

He said energy would be one of the subjects of discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which will include relations between the EU and Russia in this area.

The full version of the interview will be available at www.interfax.ru and www.interfax.com and will be published in the November 1 issue of Vremya Novostei.

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