OREANDA-NEWS. January 16, 2009. Alexey Miller and Paolo Scaroni: under conditions of crisis in gas transit through Ukraine South Stream project implementation is issue of high priority

Gazprom’s Headquarters hosted today a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company’s Management Committee and Paolo Scaroni, Chief Executive Officer of ENI.

Alexey Miller notified Paolo Scaroni about the current critical situation in the relations with Ukraine and the steps taken by Gazprom for surmounting the crisis.

The parties pointed out that under these conditions high priority should be given to the diversification of the gas export routes, particularly to the implementation of the South Stream project, which would enable to directly link Russia and Europe and to reinforce the energy security of the continent.

Gazprom and ENI agreed to intensify the activities of the Joint Working Group in charge of the preparations for the South Stream project execution. The next meeting of the Working Group will be held tomorrow.