ID :
197284
Tue, 07/26/2011 - 13:19
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/197284
The shortlink copeid
Kyrgyzstan seeks to diversify energy supplies but relies on Russia -
BISHKEK, July 26 (Itar-Tass) - Kyrgyzstan considers all possible steps
to diversify energy supplies but relies primarily on Russia, Kyrgyz Prime
Minister Almazbek Atambayev said on Tuesday.
"We look at various options but it is quite obvious that it would be
much better if Kyrgyzstan and Russia trusted each other," he said in an
interview with the AKIpress information agency. "It should be born in mind
that Russia is our strategic partner. Regrettably, Russia has been
scorched by the Kyrgyz authorities and it is very difficult win back its
confidence. But we are doing it step by step."
According to Atambayev, problems with energy supplies to the republic
were caused by both his country's dependence on external supplies and
Russia's transition to European standards, due to which a number of oil
refineries were closed for modernization. "There are no political motives
behind it and I am very thankful that the Russian government came to help
us, probably, at the expense of its own interests," he stressed.
He however said he believed "another path should be taken in future."
In his words, it is necessary to increase oil production inside his
country. "During me recent visit to Russia, I discussed not merely the
subject of occasional gasoline supplies but raise the issue of looking for
investors for Kyrgyzneftegaz. We need trustworthy investors, such as
Gazprom, Rosneft, or Transneft. We need to find a big investor and solve
the problem, the more so even Soviet-era geological surveys said our
country had both oil and gas," he said.
In this context, he said Kyrgyzgas and Russia's Gazprom were drafting
an agreement but, in his words, Kyrgyzstan in the long run must meet the
bulk of its demand through the use of domestic resources. "I think we will
create a joint venture with some powerful (Russian) structure, but it
should be a trustworthy structure with solid experience in geological
prospecting and geological survey divisions of its own rather than an
offshore firm," he added.
to diversify energy supplies but relies primarily on Russia, Kyrgyz Prime
Minister Almazbek Atambayev said on Tuesday.
"We look at various options but it is quite obvious that it would be
much better if Kyrgyzstan and Russia trusted each other," he said in an
interview with the AKIpress information agency. "It should be born in mind
that Russia is our strategic partner. Regrettably, Russia has been
scorched by the Kyrgyz authorities and it is very difficult win back its
confidence. But we are doing it step by step."
According to Atambayev, problems with energy supplies to the republic
were caused by both his country's dependence on external supplies and
Russia's transition to European standards, due to which a number of oil
refineries were closed for modernization. "There are no political motives
behind it and I am very thankful that the Russian government came to help
us, probably, at the expense of its own interests," he stressed.
He however said he believed "another path should be taken in future."
In his words, it is necessary to increase oil production inside his
country. "During me recent visit to Russia, I discussed not merely the
subject of occasional gasoline supplies but raise the issue of looking for
investors for Kyrgyzneftegaz. We need trustworthy investors, such as
Gazprom, Rosneft, or Transneft. We need to find a big investor and solve
the problem, the more so even Soviet-era geological surveys said our
country had both oil and gas," he said.
In this context, he said Kyrgyzgas and Russia's Gazprom were drafting
an agreement but, in his words, Kyrgyzstan in the long run must meet the
bulk of its demand through the use of domestic resources. "I think we will
create a joint venture with some powerful (Russian) structure, but it
should be a trustworthy structure with solid experience in geological
prospecting and geological survey divisions of its own rather than an
offshore firm," he added.
