ITAR-TASS News Agency, Russia
May 25, 2007 Friday

CIS forming common electric power market

An agreement forming a common electric power market in the CIS was
signed between Armenia, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan at the 19th meeting of CIS premiers in Yalta on Friday.

The agreement will enlarge electricity selling in the CIS, Prime
Minister Mikhail Fradkov said. As for the refusal of some countries
to join the accord, he said, “I do not think that anyone will have
problems because of that. It is a pity to miss the chance, because
electric power means energy security.”

Ukrainian First Vice-Premier Nikolai Azarov, whose country did not
join the accord, said that Ukraine would develop energy cooperation
with CIS partners. He did not make further comments, Prime Tass said.