Vladimir Putin and Saparmurat Niyazov discussed important aspects of bilateral relations and prospects for expanded economic cooperation, including Turkmen gas supplies to Russia.
On December 27, 1999, Russia began to receive Turkmen gas under a $772 million contract that was signed in Ashkhabad by Gazprom board chairman Rem Vyakhirev and Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov. Under the contract, Russia will receive 20 billion cubic metres of Turkmen gas in 2000.