The Gazprom headquarters hosted a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Company's Management Committee and Jean-Maurice Ripert, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Russian Federation.
The parties addressed the status of Russian-French partnership in the power sector and looked into the prospects for the co-operation deepening.
It was pointed out that the success in implementing such joint projects as Nord Stream and South Stream strengthened ties between Russia and Europe and boosted the reliability of gas supply to European consumers.
Background
France is Gazprom's sixth largest market beyond the FSU after Germany, Turkey, Italy, the UK and Poland.
In 2013, Gazprom supplied 8.17 billion m3 of gas to France. In 2006 Gazprom and GDF SUEZ signed the Agreement to extend the existing contracts for Russian natural gas supply to France until 2030.
Since 2010, GDF Suez has been a shareholder of Nord Stream AG responsible for the Nord Stream project. GDF Suez holds a 9% stake in the company. French EDF holds a 15% stake in South Stream Transport B.V. engaged in constructing South Stream's offshore section.
Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton