The President said that Gazprom’s priority on the domestic market should be getting households connected to the gas supply network, especially in the rural areas. Mr Miller reported that 69 of the country’s regions are now covered by the programme to get the whole of Russia connected.
Gas-sector cooperation in the Caspian region, in Mr Medvedev’s view, requires clear legal regulation at the state level, perhaps in the form of an intergovernmental agreement. The President noted that he will discuss gas cooperation at an upcoming informal summit with the leaders of Caspian countries Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
Also discussed were relations with Gazprom’s Ukrainian partners and their proposal that Gazprom make advance payment for transit of Russian gas via Ukrainian territory – something not stipulated in the contracts currently in effect. Mr Medvedev stressed that Gazprom should act strictly in accordance with the current contractual terms and conditions.