Russia to Develop Gas Fields in Ethiopia

Russia is prepared to take part in the extraction of gas and solid fossil fuels and the construction of hydroelectric power plants in Ethiopia. A statement to this effect was made by Mikhail Kasyanov, the Prime Minister of Russia during his visit to Addis-Ababa on the way to Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to the Department of Information of the government of Russia, in Addis-Ababa, Mikhail Kasyanov had a meeting with Meles Zenaui, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. The Prime Minister confirmed that Russia's preparedness to develop relations with Ethiopia while assisting the country in democratic reforming and building a market economy was no less than before. Mr. Kasyanov also said Russia would modernise a number of facilities built in Ethiopia by the USSR.

Mr. Kasyanov also said that the problem of Ethiopia's debt to Russia was as good as resolved, Ethiopia making regular payments. He added that bi-lateral intergovernmental commission would convene in Addis-Ababa in November in order to finalise a number of joint projects, which, the Prime Minister noted, would mark a new stage in the bilateral relations.

At this time, Mr. Kasyanov is visiting Johannesburg where he intends to attend the world-wide UN summit on stable development. While the summit lasts, Mr. Kasyanov is supposed to meet with the Presidents of the South African Republic, Yugoslavia, and Macedonia, the Prime Ministers of Italy, Israel, Canada, Japan, and the Netherlands, and the Secretary of State of the US. On Tuesday September 3, Mikhail Kasyanov is expected to deliver a speech during a meeting of the Heads of State and Prime Ministers.