Vladimir Putin would like Russian-US energy forum to attain specific results

President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation considers Russian-US energy cooperation to be a key aspect of bilateral cooperation. This was disclosed here today by Russia's Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref, as he opened the Russian-American business energy summit in St Petersburg.

According to Gref, the President of Russia hails this forum, believing that Russian-US energy cooperation lays the foundation of sustainable global economic development, on the whole.

Putin wished forum participants to implement their cooperation in the form of specific joint projects, Gref told those present.

In his speech, Gref predicted that the Russian-US trade turnover will total $11 billion before the year is out. A rather impressive trade-turnover increment, i.e. more than 40 percent, will be posted; moreover, some experts believe that the bilateral trade turnover will stand at $13 billion, rather than $10-11 billion, Gref informed his audience.

Russian oil exports may soar by 150 percent this year, Gref said in conclusion.