On the occasion of the visit in France of Vladimir Poutine, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, a meeting took place yesterday between Alexey Miller, Chairman of Gazprom, Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Jean-François Cirelli, Vice-Chairman and President of GDF SUEZ. Negotiations for the entry of GDF SUEZ into the Nord Stream project, as well as complementary industrial cooperation between the two groups were at the heart of the discussions.
During this meeting, GDF SUEZ and Gazprom evoked the different aspects of their cooperation in the energy field, particularly the progress of negotiations with Nord Stream AG shareholders concerning the entry of GDF SUEZ into this gas pipeline project. The members of the Nord Stream consortium are pursuing a constructive dialogue to outline the conditions which will enable GDF SUEZ to obtain a minority share of 9% in Nord Stream's capital.
Gazprom and GDF SUEZ agreed that the increase in the imports of Russian natural gas, including via Nord Stream, should contribute to the continuous strengthening of cooperation between Gazprom and GDF SUEZ.
In addition, Alexey Miller informed GDF SUEZ of the agreement to acquire its 5.26% stake in German company VNG.
