Germany, Russia to Increase Energy Cooperation

Germany and Russia confirm their intention to maintain and increase the existing energy dialogue, through cooperation between companies like Gazprom and Verbundnetz Gas, for work together on projects for underground storage.

“This issue is most relevant today given the relations with Ukraine in the gas sector. There is no doubt that cooperation with Verbundnetz Gas will allow us to create new gas storage capacities in Europe and therefore to increase the reliability and stability of gas supply to our European consumers in the autumn-winter period,” said Gazprom’s Alexey Miller in a note released on Monday. 

Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, met Karsten Heuchert, Chairman of the Verbundnetz Gas (VNG) Executive Board. VNG is the first company to supply Russian natural gas to Germany.

‘In a manner of speaking, Gazprom and Verbundnetz Gas are the originators of the Russian-German energy dialogue. Today more than ever the issues of energy security are especially crucial for the European gas market,’ added Miller. 

In January 2013, senior officials of Gazprom updated a science and technology co-operation pact with Verbundnetz Gas, renewing he cooperation between the two companies.