Lithuania pays for Russian gas more again in May-June

Lithuania pays for Russian gas more again in May-June

In May, the gas price was lower by 50 litas per toe and stood at 1,598 litas per toe, including transportation charges. In April, gas cost 1,482 litas per toe, writes LETA/ELTA.

In January 2010, heat supply companies paid 1,248 litas per toe for gas, including transportation charges. In December, gas cost 1,414 litas per toe, including the charges.

President of the Lithuanian District Heating Association (LDHA) Vytautas Stasiunas says that there cannot be any more serious signs for our state urging it to declare the re-orientation of the heat economy from Russian gas to Lithuanian biofuel a national priority. "Good wishes are not enough anymore. Government support is necessary for biofuel facilities and attract EU funds," said Stasiunas.

He noted that it was impossible to re-orient the heat industry to biofuel by the efforts and funds of heat companies alone without increasing heating bills.

12/7 Tass 48

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, July 12 (Itar-Tass) — Japan called on Russia to ease import curbs.

Japan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Shinichi Nishimiya assured on Monday that Japan ensures a regular monitoring and takes all necessary measures to prevent the export of goods from radiation-affected areas.

“Japan, except for some territories, is safe and open for business and tourism,” he told a meeting of the sub-commission for interregional cooperation under the two countries’ commission for trade and economic cooperation.

At present, Russia keeps effective the ban on the import of agricultural products and foodstuff from Japan’s six prefectures and on the import of seafood from eight prefectures, which encompasses a total of 242 processing enterprises.

Japan’s diplomat asked Russia’s Deputy Regional Development Minister Maxim Travkin to reconsider import restrictions.

Shinichi Nishimiya noted that during the summer Japan’s export volumes will be restored. “By the end of July the air link through Shendai Airport, in the city of Shendai, located in Miyagi Prefecture strongly affected by the earthquake will be resumed.”

Travkin, in turn, called on Japan’s business to take part in investment projects within the framework of the preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit due in Vladivostok in 2012, in particular in the construction of hotels and the Ussuriysk hydro-electric power station.

“Japan’s companies have already been participating in the construction of the bridge and electric generator turbines,” he said.

According to Russia’s Regional Development Ministry, Japan’s investments into Russia’s economy exceeded 9 billion dollars in the first six months of 2011. Over 87 percent are investments into oil development and refinery, approximately 5 percent – into the manufacturing industry and 4 percent – in trade. Major investments are concentrated in the Moscow region, the Primorsky Territory and St. Petersburg.

Participants in the meeting of the sub-commission for interregional cooperation pointed to a spontaneous nature of regional contacts. One of such positive examples is cooperation between Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region and Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture. Last year they signed an agreement on trade, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation.

In 2010 bilateral trade between the Nizhny Novgorod region and Japan totalled 145 million dollars (up by 47 percent). In the first three months of this year it grew three times to 5.6 million dollars as against the same period of last year.

Russia and Armenia confirm interest in building new unit for Mestamor nuclear power plant

The meeting was held on July 8 in Rostov-on-Don, RIA Novosti reported. The Russian co-chairman of the commission is minister of transport Igor Levitin, the Armenian co-chairman is prime minister Tigran Sarkisian.

"The parties confirm their interest in cooperation on nuclear energy development of the Republic of Armenia, including the construction of a new power unit," the document says. It also notes successful progress in bilateral cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy.According to the protocol, the sides are collecting information about the construction site, including information about its seismic activity. The sides are also assessing the possible environmental impact of the new unit.

Armenian minister of energy and natural resources Armen Movsisyan said in June that the disaster at Japanese nuclear power plant Fukushima could not lead to dropping plans to build a new power unit for the Armenian nuclear power plant, as the country has no alternative, and the construction of coal-or gas-fired plants will increase the cost of electricity.

The Armenian NPP is managed now by the Russian Inter RAO UES. In 2010 August the sides signed a corresponding intergovernmental agreement. Construction work is scheduled to begin in 2011. The new unit is supposed to be commissioned before 2017. Until then the currently operating unit must be closed. However, on February 15 Armen Movsisian said that the existing nuclear power unit will operate until the new one is built.

The Metsamor nuclear plant, which accounts for about 40 percent of Armenia's electricity, has undergone numerous safety upgrades since being reactivated in 1995. According to government figures, Armenia has received $130 million worth of assistance from the United States, the European Union, Russia and other international bodies to upgrade the plant’s safety. The plant located some 30 kilometers west of Yerevan, was built in the 1970s but was closed following a devastating earthquake in 1988 that killed some 25,000 people and devastated much of northern Armenia. One of its two VVER 440-V230 light-water reactors was reactivated in 1995. The new plant is supposed to operate at twice the capacity of the Soviet-constructed facility. -0-

12/07/2011 12:3

11:12 12/07/2011ALL NEWS

12/7 Tass 121

AHGABAT, July 12 (Itar-Tass) — Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and St. Petersburg’s Governor Valentina Matviyenko participated on Tuesday in an opening of two flyovers at the Turkmenbashi-Avaza highway, which connects the airport of the Caspian port with the national tourist zone.

The flyover bridges of 1,300 and 1,400 metres cost 121 million dollars. They were built by St. Petersburg’s Vozrozhdeniye Company.

As a bonus, the company constructed a major fountain complex next to the flyover.

“These bridges, in fact, are uniting Europe and Asia, as the route is of international importance,” Berdymukhamedov said. The thanked the Vozrozhdeniye company for the high quality of the project and expressed confidence that cooperation in transport infrastructures will continue in Ashgabat and in the Akhal Region.

“St. Petersburg’s companies are ready to offer their experience and modern technologies to Turkmenistan, which is proved by the construction of the flyovers, which involved the Vozrozhdeniye company,” Valentina Matviyenko said at the opening ceremony. Her three-day visit to Turkmenistan is over on Tuesday.

On Monday, Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko signed an agreement on economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation. Berdymukhammedov signed an order to have anew contract with the Vozrozhdeniye Holding on several road projects in Ashgabat, which are worth 223 million dollars. Thus, the company’s all projects in Turkmenistan exceed 900 million dollars.

The promising projects to involve St. Petersburg companies in Turkmenistan mentioned over the talks include a plant to restore sturgeon fish, modernization of water purification in Ashgabat, reconstruction of energy enterprises, supplies for the oil and gas industry and others.