Russian Cabinet to Discuss in May Project of Russia's Energy Strategy Till 2020

The Russian Cabinet is due to discuss in May Russia's draft energy strategy up to 2020, said Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov addressing the Energy Ministry on Friday.

Kasyanov recalled that the discussion of this document had been scheduled for last November, but he had decided to postpone it to make sure that all aspects had been analysed.

According to the Prime Minister, the work on the energy strategy blueprint was the main task of the Energy Ministry this year.

Kasyanov said that this strategy must be based on the forecasts of the Russian economic needs, the situation on foreign and domestic markets and must determine the main avenues and stimuli of the fuel-energy complex's development, along with its regional and branch structure and the balance between the kinds of fuel.

He pointed out that the strategy should take into consideration the interests of businessmen and ensure an optimal trajectory of the complex's development in terms of national interests.

According to the Prime Minister, the Russian fuel-energy complex is not efficient enough, which is largely a result of the lack of development goals.

"The county must be totally provided with raw material resources both for its domestic consumption and export needs," Kasyanov said.