Moscow. (Interfax) - The dynamic development of the Russian energy sector combined with the stability achieved create framework conditions for Russia to become a stable fuel supplier to the American market.
Russian Energy Minister Igor Yusufov made this statement at his Friday meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of Energy Robert Card, the ministry press service reported on Saturday.
Yusufov said the U.S., as a party interested in deliveries of hydrocarbons from Russia, could give a signal to the West that Russia is a reliable place for investing in the energy sector.
The ministry report says that at the meeting, the sides expressed the common opinion that in the present international situation, close interaction between the two countries in fuel deliveries, technology exchanges and investments will serve the stable development of the Russian and American economies, making this development independent of political factors.
The press release quotes Yusufov as saying that Russia can and should become a key member of the world energy community and actively trade not only raw hydrocarbons, but refined products.
In his turn, Card expressed the conviction that the prosperity of the Russian energy industry will promote the prosperity of Russia, which has strategic significance for the United States.
The press release says they also discussed the G-8 conference of energy ministers due in Detroit at the beginning of May, which Yusufov should attend. The sides attach primary importance to the meeting because it will precede the Russian-American summit scheduled for May 23-26 in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Before the Moscow meeting, Card visited Timan-Pechora oil and gas province. Yusufov said the visit can be regarded as a sign of the United States seriously considering the prospects for investments in the Russian extracting industry.