Russian business news agency "Prime Tass" reported today that Mr. Shmatko expressed his hope that the economic forum can transform into an organization "because now (the natural gas) business faces serious challenges", he said.
Shmatko said Russia was interested in "profound dialogue" and cooperation with other gas producers. He added that this might include synchronizing investment programs.
He said partnership between gas producers would offset cooperation between E.U. gas importers. Shmatko said, however, that Russia did not intend an "energy war."
It's necessary to poimt out that Mr. Shmatko doesn't want the new organization to resemble OPEC in any way. At the same time, he didn't clarify what the difference would be.
Author: Ksenia Kochneva
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OPEC and ONGEC?
Natural Gas Exporting Countries may soon set up an organization to promote their interests, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said at an economic forum today
