OREANDA-NEWS. October 9, 2008. In Bishkek, Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Sapar Balkibekov, Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic signed in the presence of Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation and Kurmanbek Bakiev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, a Memorandum of Understanding to develop cooperation within the privatization of a part of the state-owned stake in Kyrgyzgaz.

Pursuant to the document the parties will address this issue and develop the principles for Gazprom’s participation in the Kyrgyzgaz privatization.

“Cooperation between Gazprom and Kyrgyzstan is of a constructive, long-standing and mutually beneficial nature. Our company has proven its reliability as a partner in the area of hydrocarbon exploration and production, as well as upgrade and utilization of underground gas storage capacities in the Republic. We hope for further strengthening of the bilateral relations. Having obtained the status of a strategic investor in the oil and gas sectors of Kyrgyzstan, Gazprom will promote implementation of a long-term investment program focused on supply indigenous gas to the Republic,” stated Alexey Miller.