The Hindu : International : Russia, Qatar mull over gas cartel

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
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International

International

Russia, Qatar mull over gas cartel

Atul Aneja

To coordinate supplies across globe

DUBAI: Russia and Qatar have discussed establishing a mechanism to coordinate the supply of natural gas across the globe.

Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Doha Moscow did not "reject the idea of creating a gas cartel." He said establishing a forum of gas suppliers required deeper study. Mr. Putin made these remarks soon after his arrival on Monday from his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia. He is visiting the region in what is seen as an effort to reassert Russia's influence in West Asia.

Flexible approach

Mr. Putin pointed out that he was flexible in his approach over the formation of a mechanism to regulate gas exports.

"Whether we need [a natural gas cartel) or not is a different subject but natural gas producers should coordinate their activities," he said. He said it was "very important for us to understand each other, cooperate with each other, develop unified approaches in creating common conditions for [gas] producers and establish a system of relationships with consumers."

He said he would send experts to a natural gas conference in Doha. The meeting scheduled for April would consider details about a gas cartel that resembled the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Apart from Russia and Qatar, Iran and Algeria are also among the major producers of natural gas. In January, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had proposed the idea of a gas cartel before visiting Russian National Security Adviser Igor Ivanov.

Europe imports nearly 44 per cent of its gas supplies from Russia, and the European Union leaders have said they would oppose Russian moves towards forming a cartel.

Announcing Russia's intent to play an independent role in the region, Mr. Putin has said Moscow is ready to host an international conference on West Asia. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani has backed the proposal.

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