Russia’s Gazprom to Help Kyrgyzstan Meet Domestic Demand for Gas – Premier

Excerpt from report by Russian state news agency ITAR-TASS

Bishkek, 20 February: In the long-run, the implementation of geological surveys in southern Kyrgyzstan by Gazprom will help “meet domestic demand for natural gas”, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov said in Bishkek today, following talks with the chairman of the board of directors of Gazprom, Aleksey Miller. He said that so far Kyrgyzstan has been importing up to 300m cu.m. of natural gas annually to meet its domestic demand. Chudinov today handed a licence over to Miller to carry out geological surveys in two natural gas fields in southern Kyrgyzstan.

“We are sure that the results of geological surveys will be successful, and Kyrgyzstan will have an opportunity to supply itself with energy resources, as well as carry out an independent price policy regarding its own resources,” Miller noted.

He also said that Gazprom would not limit itself to geological prospecting work in Kyrgyzstan, and that the company planned to consider the issue of taking part in the privatization of joint- stock companies of Kyrgyzgaz and Kyrgyzneftegaz [Kyrgyz oil and gas]. “Gazprom could become a strategic partner of the companies,” Miller stressed.

[Passage omitted: background on Gazprom; Gazprom is planning to invest up to 300m dollars in Kyrgyzstan - Covered]

Originally published by ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in Russian 0825 20 Feb 08.

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