Federation Council's official comments on Russia's energy strategy

Russia should occupy an active position on the world energy market, Mikhail Odintsov, chairman of the Federation Council's commission for natural monopolies, announced at parliamentary hearings today. The hearings were devoted to the Russian energy strategy throughout 2020. The official believes that consistent energy-export policies would enable Russia to switch from exports of raw resources to exports of processed products. He also stressed that the country's energy strategy should include a political component reflecting Russia's state foreign policy.

The Federation Council's official suggested that Russia should look toward eastern countries in its expansion on the world energy market. He explained that Asian countries enjoyed economic growth at present, which guaranteed long-term and stable demand for gas, oil and electrical energy. However, this strategy should not be implemented by natural monopolies alone but in cooperation with the state, Odintsov stressed.