OREANDA-NEWS. April 21, 2011. On April 20 Head of Karelia Andrei Nelidov met with Viktor Ilyushin, Member of the Management Committee, Head of the Department for Relations with the Russian Federation Authorities, Gazprom, in Moscow. Yuri Kancher, First Deputy Head of the Republic of Karelia, and Alexander Efimov, Minister of Construction of the Republic of Karelia, have also attended the meeting.

The negotiating point was expansion of cooperation between the republic and Gazprom, as well as preparation for a new stage in gas supply of Karelia. Natural gas was brought to the republic in 1996 when the gas main from Volkhov to Petrozavodsk was built. In 2004 the gas main was extended to Kondopoga, then within several years settlements of Prionezhsky and Kondopoga regions were switched over to use of natural gas. Today matters concern launching of a new stage in gas supply of Karelia, in the long term it is planned to supply gas to Pitkaranta, Sortavala and Pudozh.

In the course of the talks Viktor Ilyushin has pointed out that North-West is a special region of Russia, towards which the gasmen's eyes are turned: "I like the enthusiasm with which the leaders of Karelia have come to us very much. Gas in the republic should be used more effectively and more extensively. We have interesting projects to be implemented within the territory of the republic. The more so, that Gazprom has laid the groundwork for them a long time ago."

Andrei Nelidov has thanked Viktor Ilyushin for his support: "Supplying with gas is a part of a strategy of social and economic development of Karelia through to 2020, and without Gazprom's participation it will not be possible to implement this strategy."

The new plans of supplying the republic with gas will be reflected in the Agreement of Cooperation between Gazprom and the Republic of Karelia to be prolonged in May for the next 5 years. Meanwhile, the Government of Karelia will develop feasibility studies for gas pipe line sites to be.