ANKARA - Administrators of Russian gas company Gazprom and Gaz Export, the company which deals with the gas sales of Gazprom, came to Ankara to discuss the disagreement on a formula in Blue Stream project.
Gazprom Deputy Chairman Yuri Kamarov met with Pipeline Transportation Corp. (BOTAS) Director General Mehmet Bilgic at 2.00 p.m.
The disagreement results from the formula of setting price in agreements on Blue Stream project.
Gazprom company states that formula is the same in all other agreements, but it is only different in this agreement. It claims that it is a mistake in writing and it should be the same with the others.
In case the formula is changed as claimed by Gazprom, Turkey will face an additional invoice of billions of U.S. dollars.
GULER: ''ARBITRATION PROCESS ABOUT BLUE STREAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED''
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler said on Wednesday that the arbitration process about Blue Stream project has been suspended.
Guler stated that experts of the two companies would come together next week to make accounts regarding the three agreements on purchasing of natural gas from Russia and that the three agreements would be taken up under same conditions.
Guler noted that the prices to be fixed would not be higher than the one in European countries.
GULER: ''TURKEY WILL NOT BUY NATURAL GAS UNDER WORSE CONDITIONS THAN THOSE OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES''
Guler said that the three agreements which were signed to buy natural gas from Russia would be reviewed and the conditions for Turkey to buy natural gas would not be worse than those of European countries.
Gazprom Vice President Yuri Kamorov and Gazeksport Director General Alexander Medredev met with Turkish Pipeline Company's (BOTAS) Director General Mehmet Bilgic in the Ministry the same day.
Guler held a news conference after the meetings in which Russian Ambassador to Turkey Petr Stegniy also participated and announced the decisions taken.
Noting that the arbitration process was suspended and technical accounts would be made by the participation of experts from both sides next week, Guler said that Turkey would purchase natural gas in harmony with the conditions of similar countries.
''We attribute great importance to relations between the two countries, our relations should not disturbed even in case of a very important project like Blue Stream,'' Guler said. When asked if that meant a reduction in price, Guler said ''yes.''
''Our country will not be less lucky than other countries in respect of conditions of purchasing natural gas. The three purchasing agreement will be taken up under same conditions. A new page will be opened,'' Guler said.
Guler and Kamorov reiterated that Turkey would start to buy natural gas from Russia within the scope of Blue Stream Project as of August 1.
(Öª) 30.07.2003