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Russian Minister Highlights Energy Facilities Safety at Moscow G8 Conference

Posted on: Thursday, 16 March 2006, 03:03 CST

Text of report by Russian NTV on 16 March

[Presenter] The international energy security is in the focus of attention of the meeting of G8 energy ministers, which opened in Moscow today. Representatives of China, India, OPEC and the IAEA have been invited to attend it as observers.

The energy security will be high on the agenda of the G8 summit in St Petersburg in July.

[Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko, captioned, speaking at the meeting] Taking into account the growing risk of sabotage at key facilities of energy infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants, pipelines, sea terminals, power distribution sub-stations and hydropower plants, their vulnerability for natural disasters and the increasing practice of non-authorized takeaway of hydrocarbons [from pipelines], the international cooperation on securing their physical safety in a proper and reliable way is becoming a crucial point.

[Presenter] Some observers say that the development of the Iranian nuclear programme and the corresponding Russian initiatives can be discussed at the meeting. Its agenda also includes stability of energy supplies to the world market, the development of nuclear industry and the alternative energy sources.

[Russian President] Vladimir Putin is expected to meet the ministers in the afternoon.

Source: BBC Monitoring Former Soviet Union

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