Russia interested in creating underground gas storage in Slovakia

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Russia is interested in creating natural gas storage capacity in Slovakia, Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko told journalists.

The issue was discussed at the session of the Russian-Slovakian intergovernmental commission held in Moscow on Friday.

"Over the course of 2009 the EU has undertaken efforts to create gas storage infrastructure. Slovakia also made a proposal on expanding underground gas storage. That proposal is of interest to us. The Energy Ministry's position is that implementation of such a project is in the interests of the two countries," Shmatko said.

Slovakia's Economic Minister, Lubomir Jahnatek, made a proposal to Russian gas companies to participate in the construction of new underground gas storage facilities in his countries. However, he stressed that no actual agreements in this regard had been made to date.

He said that negotiations had only taken place, adding that the Slovak side has had concerns because gas consumption in Slovakia could increase to 1 billion cubic meters a year.

Interfax.ru