Alexey Miller's column
On involvement of Austria in the South Stream project
“Today is an important day in the South Stream history. By acknowledging on the inter-governmental level its commitment to take part in the development of an additional route of transportation of Russian gas to Europe, Austria became the seventh country participating in the onshore part of the project. Gazprom and its partner entered into a framework agreement on the implementation of South Stream in Austria.
According to currently achieved arrangements the basic gas pipeline will be laid via at least seven European countries and stretch for thousands of kilometers. Once the gas pipeline is constructed South and Central Europe will be forever safe from and secured against transit crises and cold winters.”
From left to right: Alexey Miller, Vladimir Putin, Wolfgang Ruttenstorfer. Photo by RIA Novosti
On steady improvement of the gas market
“Gazprom has not only ensured reliable and uninterrupted gas supplies to Russian and foreign consumers, but also considerably increased the supply amount. Over the last autumn–winter period our Company provided the domestic and the foreign markets with additional 15.8 and 20.9 billion cubic meters of gas, respectively, as compared to the identical period of 2008–2009. This is another vivid demonstration of the gas market improvement.”
On signing the addenda to contract on gas supply to Ukraine
“The changes have been introduced in the contract in pursuance of the intergovernmental agreements and don’t have a negative effect on Gazprom’s economics.”
Russian and Ukrainian Presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Viktor Yanukovich during the signing of contract addenda by Gazprom and Naftogaz Ukrainy CEOs Alexey Miller and Evgeny Bakulin. Photo by RIA Novosti
On Gazprom’s participation in promoting sports and a healthy lifestyle
“The Company is traditionally active in arranging amateur and professional competitions in Russia. They considerably promote sports activities and a healthy lifestyle. It should be noted that the Vitaly Fatyanov Competition is a crucial stage in the struggle for the right to host the 2016 World Biathlon Championship. I am sure that, if decently arranged and successfully held, the Competition will get us closer to this cherished goal.”
Victorious finish by Ivan Cherezov
On launching the Nord Stream gas pipeline construction
“I am sure that connecting the gas pipeline systems of Russia and Europe is a fundamentally new approach to ensuring the continent's energy security. The Nord Stream pipeline will not only ensure the highest reliability of supply, but will also make it possible to continue to meet Europe's growing demand for natural gas. Our collaboration with major European energy companies on the Nord Stream project will no doubt become a model of international cooperation for other large-scale gas transmission projects.”
Alexey Miller