The group of the Japanese trading and energy companies is to start negotiations on possible technical communication with Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom.
As it became known, next month the companies are to start negotiations in the certain areas of cooperation, including processing of natural gas. The agreement is expected to be reached within the year.
The Japanese Natural resources and Energy agency will serve as the intermediary for the Russian and Japanese governments. Now it looks like Japanese partners try to establish the system which would guarantee the steady delivery of energy and strengthening the cooperation between two countries.
In the beginning of next week, Akira Amari, Japanese Economy Trade and Industry Minister, plans to start the negotiations with Russian representative, Victor Khristenko. The Russian government wishes to establish the possible union between the Japanese companies and Gazprom. The Russian industry and power minister, accompanied by Russian Prime Minister Michail Fradkov are going to visit Japan in order to start negotiations.
After the official meeting at a level of ministers, the business representatives of 13 largest Japanese companies, such as Mitsui and Co., Corporation Mitsubishi, Tokyo Electric Power Co. And Oil Corporation Nippon etc., are going to meet with Russian officials and businessmen in order to start negotiations concerning the establishment of the Russian-Japanese joint structure.
Gazprom is for cooperation with the Japanese companies in the areas of extraction of helium from natural gas and transformation of natural gas to liquid fuels for diesel engines. In addition to technical cooperation is also expected. Japan, in its turn, is interested in steady supplies of Russian gas and oil from Sakhalin-1 and Sakhalin-2 projects.