Gazprom to start discussions with Transgaz and Romgaz about direct gas import

A Gazprom delegation will discuss on Wednesday, in Bucharest, with Transgaz and Romgaz representatives about a possible direct gas import and about other projects regarding the gas transit from Russia to Europe. The same problems were discussed in Moscow a week ago, Romanian news agency NewsIn informs.

Gazprom’s delegation, lead by Vlada Rusakova will only be in Romania for one day. The agenda of the meeting contains problems related to developing some storing facilities in Romania, the development of transit contracts and possibilities to diversify these activities.

Another subject to be debated at the meeting is the direct natural gas import from Gazprom, for supplementary quantities than those stipulated in the contracts already signed. Rusakova is currently undergoing a European tour: she visited Slovenia and Greece for South Stream negotiations. The pipeline to link Russia to Germany, that would have to cross several other European countries could also be on the agenda in Bucharest.

Last week Gazprom announced that any country that wished to be part of the project is welcome, if they have availability to get involved and conduct negotiations. Romania’s availability to enter the project, one that would counter the EU and US pipeline, Nabucco, is currently very disputed at the level of political leaders.

On the one hand, President Basescu is a promoter of the Nabucco project while last week Economy minister Varujan Vosganian announced that Romania will support the South Stream project.