The International Energy Conference “Russia-UK: Long-Term Partnership” is taking place at Lancaster House in central London and is timed for the official visit of the Russian President to Great Britain. Taking part in the forum are the heads of major oil and gas companies, the energy ministers of the two countries, experts and journalists.
Speaking at the conference Vladimir Putin described Britain as one of Russia’s most significant European partners. The relations between the two countries are attaining the level of a strategic partnership, the President said.
Vladimir Putin stressed that British investments in Russia had grown by 50 percent this year compared with last year. If British Petroleum and Shell go ahead with their plans to invest $17 billion in the Russian economy it may make Britain the number one investor in Russia.
During the Conference a series of documents were signed including a memorandum on cooperation on the North-European Gas Pipeline and a framework agreement on the creation of the company TNK-BP.
On the eve of the Conference Vladimir Putin and Tony Blair met with representatives of the top energy companies of the two countries: the head of British Petroleum, Lord Brown, the head of Shell, Sir Phillip Watts, Gazprom President Alexei Miller and the head of YUKOS, Mikhail Khodorkovsky.