Russia, CAsia leaders agree landmark gas pipeline deal - AFP

[Eugene]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Russia, CAsia leaders agree landmark gas pipeline deal

by Anton Lomov
54 minutes ago

TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan (AFP) - The presidents of Russia,
Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan agreed a landmark gas pipeline deal
on Saturday in a victory for Moscow over European and US plans
for the region.

During a three-way summit in the Caspian Sea port of Turkmenbashi,
the presidents agreed on pipeline restoration and new construction
from Turkmenistan to Russia via Kazakhstan -- a route long favored
by Russia.

"We will reconstruct the Caspian shore gas pipeline with a capacity
of 10 billion cubic metres (per year) and build a parallel gas pipeline.
The corresponding agreement will be signed before this July,"
Putin said.

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The deal represented a major triumph for Moscow, which has long
pushed the route over a rival US proposal that would cross the
Caspian.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070512/bs_afp/russiacasiaturkmenistankazakhstanenergy_070512092317

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Source: BBC News

Last Updated: Saturday, 12 May 2007, 09:30 GMT 10:30 UK

Russia clinches gas pipeline deal

Russia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan have agreed to build a new
natural gas pipeline around the Caspian Sea.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced the deal at a summit
with Central Asian leaders in Turkmenistan.

The agreement ensures Russia's access to Turkmenistan's gas,
and is a setback to rival US and European Union plans.

-snip-

The BBC's Natalia Antelava says the agreement is a huge blow
to Washington, Brussels and Beijing, who have all been vying
for direct access to Turkmenistan's gas.

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Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6649169.stm