Russia-China - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says Moscow and Beijing are close to resolving a long-running dispute about the price of Russian natural gas to be exported to China's energy-hungry economy. As he ended a two-day visit to Beijing, Putin said pricing negotiations between Russian gas giant Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation are "close to the final stage."
Despite that no agreement has been reached on gas deliveries, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said Tuesday that all oil-contract related issues between the two states had been resolved. Sechin said China will repay its debts “in the next few days in accordance with documents to be signed by the companies involved.” He said the sides will either sign an additional agreement or a supplement to the existing contract.
During Putin's two-day visit, he also forged a high technology and economic modernization alliance with Beijing. He said Russian cooperation with China should be much broader than the gas industry. He said both nations should make hi-tech cooperation a priority in industries such as aircraft manufacturing, nanotechnology and biotechnology. Chinese President Hu Jintao praised the Russian prime minister as an "old friend" of China as they met on Wednesday. In a separate meeting with Chinese National People's Congress leader Wu Bangguo, Putin said relations with China affect the wellbeing of Russian citizens.
Trade turnover between Russia and China is expected to reach some $70 billion by the end of the year. Putin expressed confidence that the two countries are able to bring their bilateral trade up to $100 billion before 2015 and then double this figure by 2020. In addition, Russia and China signed an agreement on Tuesday to create an investment fund worth up to $4 billion ahead of Putin's visit. China Investment Corporation (CIC) agreed to invest $1 billion along with the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which will also provide $1 billion, in a new Russia-China Investment Fund.The agreement was signed in Beijing on Tuesday by Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao.
Kazakhstan-nuclear-religious extremism - Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev urged the creation of a global anti-nuclear weapons movement, in an October 12 speech to the forum “For a Nuclear-free World”. The Astana forum commemorated the 20th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site. About 40 countries conduct research into peaceful nuclear energy; 15 build or plan to build nuclear power plants and Kazakhstan is among them, Nazarbayev added.
The spread of religious extremism is becoming a real problem for Central Asia, the Head of Kazakhstan’s Centre for Military-Strategic Research Rafik Tairov said October 10 at a conference: “Terrorism in the modern world”. He added that one of the most worrisome trends is the presence of foreign missionaries in the region, indicating that some politicians are trying to use Islam for political gain. Three days later, President Nursultan Nazarbayev October 13 signed a new law regulating religious organisations. The law, which the government called a response to several terrorist acts this summer, requires every religious organisation nationwide to register with the authorities and prohibits prayer rooms in government facilities, including military bases.
Kazakhstan-China - China remains the main trading partner of Kazakhstan. Its share in total foreign trade turnover of Kazakhstan is 19.3%. said the deputy chairman of the Customs Control Committee of the Ministry of Finance Dina Mamashev.
Turkmen Gas-Europe - The UK company Gaffney, Cline & Associates has estimated the reserves of the largest gas fields in Turkmenistan - South Yoloten-Osman, Minara and Yashlar - at 26.2 trillion cu. m. This means Turkmenistan has the second largest gas reserve in the world after Qatar. GC&A experts said the estimates aren’t exact as the boundaries of the South Yoloten-Osman gas field have yet to be defined.
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov October 13 told visiting Austrian colleague Heinz Fischer Turkmenistan already has formed a special working group to prepare for delivering natural gas to Europe, Fergana News reported October 14. The presidents oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding on increased co-operation in energy matters.
Articles referred to in this post:
"Путин: Россия и Китай близки к завершению переговоров по поставкам газа" (Russia, China Close to signing gas deal)
"Китай считает Россию надежным партнером во взаимодействии по энергетическим вопросам" (China regards Russia as a reliable partner in cooperation on energy issues)
"Россия и Китай смогли договориться по цене на нефть" (Russia and China have come to an agreement on oil prices)
"Путин: товарооборот с Китаем достигнет рекордных 70 миллиардов долларов" (Putin: Trade with China reached a record of $ 70 billion)
"Россия и Китай создадут совместный инвестиционный фонд объемом $3-4 млрд" (Russia, China to set up $3-4 bln investment fund)
"Казахи за глобальное антиядерное движение" (Kazakhs urge creation of global anti-nuclear weapon movement)
"Религиозный экстремизм - реальная проблема CA, считают эксперты"
(Religious extremism real problem for CA, experts say)
"Назарбаев подписал закон о религии" (Nazarbayev signs religion law)
"Китай остается основным торговым партнером Казахстана - КТК Минфина РК" (China remains the main trading partner of Kazakhstan - Kazakh Finance ministry)
"Туркменистан имеет 26,2 трлн куб. м газа - сообщает GC&A" (Turkmens have 26.2 trillion cu. m of gas, GC&A says)
"Туркменистан будет поставлять газ в Европу" (Turkmenistan to ship gas to Europe)
No comments:
Post a Comment