Russia to clarify relations with OPEC during oil and gas week on November 4-6

The third annual Russian oil and gas week will take place in Moscow from November 4 through November 6, 2003. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Vladimir Lukin, who is also chairing the event's organizing committee, said that the week will have 'strong international repercussions.'

Lukin added that the event will host an oil and gas summit where talks will take place with the participation of ministers from OPEC nations, representatives of the international energy agency (IEA), CIS intergovernmental council and a number of other governments. Lukin said that OPEC Secretary General Alvaro Silva Calderon, IEA Deputy Director William Ramsey, and department heads from the US, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Qatar, Egypt, France, Germany, Lithuania, CIS countries and a number of large Russian and foreign oil and gas companies will also participate in the summit. 38 countries will be represented at the summit.

Lukin said that the central theme of oil and gas week will be the question of international energy cooperation and investment prospects in Russia. He said that international energy cooperation of Russia with other countries is expanding rapidly. Lukin added that there will be an active energy dialogue with Great Britain and 'despite obstacles, the continually expanding relationship with China will be discussed. Moreover, Lukin expressed hope that during the course of oil and gas week Russia can finally build its relations with OPEC. 'In the near future Russia needs to develop strategic cooperation with OPEC including deciding whether or not to move for closer cooperation with OPEC or preserve Russian autonomy,' he said.

Oil and gas week will last three days. November 4 will be oil day. November 5 will be gas day and during the course of November 6 legal aspects of developing business in the oil and gas complex will be discussed as well as strategies for developing the refinement and transportation of hydrocarbon material.