Russia’s Gazprom may buy Greek gas monopoly stakesMarch 16, 2012 - 19:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian gas giant Gazprom may participate in a tender to buy stakes in Greece's DEPA gas monopoly to provide direct supplies to European consumers, Gazprom said on Friday, March 16, RIA Novosti reported. The Greek government planned to sell 55 percent of DEPA and 31 percent of its transport branch DESFA in the fourth quarter of 2011 but privatization slowed down due to provisions of the EU Third Energy Package, which requires the separation of energy production, transportation and sales. The bids for the tender must be received by March 22, 2012. Nomos-Bank analyst Denis Borisov said in late February that the two Greek companies might cost from $1.5 billion to $2 billion, but the price was likely to be lower taking into account the current debt problems of the country. Gazprom exported 2.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Greece in 2011. Borisov also said that another reason for Gazprom to buy the gas firms was Greece's participation in the South Stream gas pipeline project intended to carry Russian natural gas to Europe, bypassing transit countries such as Ukraine and Belarus. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |