Gov't to discuss gas reforms on September 25

The Russian Economy Ministry will submit materials concerning reforms in the gas sector to the government on September 11, 2003, Russian Deputy Economy Minister Andrey Sharonov told journalists. He reiterated that a government meeting devoted to reforms in the gas sector would take place on September 25. The deputy minister mentioned that the ministry submitted the concept of the gas market to the government on August 29. The document envisages the selling at free market prices of some part of produced gas, the development of gas infrastructure in Russian regions and the participation of Russian producers in developing backbone pipelines.

Sharonov admitted that currently the Economy Ministry and Gazprom had disagreements over the issue of selling gas at free market prices.

Sharonov also mentioned that the ministry did not touch upon the question of liberalizing the market of Gazprom shares in its proposals.