Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov confirmed that Moscow sees no obstacles to the implementation of the Pakistan Stream gas pipeline project and is working with Islamabad to develop a roadmap for it.
Shulginov said in an interview with Pakistani newspaper The Nation published today Wednesday that the North-South gas pipeline, which has changed its name to Pakistani Stream, is of great importance to both Russia and Pakistan, and that the Russian government pays great attention to this issue.
He continued: “When implementing such projects, it is necessary to apply an integrated approach, that is, take into account not only the construction of the gas pipeline itself, but also the issue of providing it with a gas source. Now we are discussing the issue of the project, whether in terms of transportation of regasified gas or transportation through pipelines “from Iran or through TAPI”, which is the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline.
Shulginov indicated that Moscow and Islamabad intend to draw up a “road map” on this matter as soon as possible, adding that he “does not see any obstacles” to the implementation of the project.
From January 18 to January 20, a new round of consultations will be held in Islamabad within the framework of the Russian-Pakistani intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation. The Russian delegation will be headed by Shulginov, while the Pakistani delegation will be headed by Federal Minister of Economy Ayaz Sadiq.
The talks will discuss ways to pay for energy resources, in addition to transportation and insurance costs.
Source: “TASS”