AZERBAIJAN WON’T BUY RUSSIAN GAS
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.12.2006 14:16 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Azerbaijan’s giving no answer to Gazprom in
negotiations on Russian gas imports to Azerbaijan means refusing
Russian gas supplies," Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natig
Aliyev said. In his words, bilateral talks between Azerbaijani and
Russian energy officials held in Moscow proved fruitless. "As per
the current agreement, Azerbaijan can import Russian gas till January
1. I personally think that the Azeri government will not buy Russian
gas. As for alternative variants Azerbaijan holds no talks with Iran
on the issue at present," Aliyev said.
Gazprom announced that Russia will draw the balance of supplies for
the next year without taking Azerbaijan into account. Gazprom’s
representatives said they will circulate 1.5 billion cu m of gas
between Russian and European consumers. Besides, Azerbaijan is going
to use extra gas for export what is inexpedient for the gas giant.
In 2006 Azerbaijan imported 4.5 billion cu m of gas at the price of
$110 for thousand cu m. In 2007 the Russian side intends to raise
the price up to $235, reports APA.