National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin (Fuad) Ben-Eliezer, met with the CEO of the Gazprom corporation, Alexei Miller, at the Gazprom headquarters in Moscow.

During the meeting, the two summarized the main points for continued association with Gazprom: Within a few months the feasibility study will be completed; a policy framework agreement between Israel and Russia; beginning negotiations; a long-term 30-year commercial agreement.

National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin (Fuad) Ben-Eliezer met with the CEO of the Gazprom corporation, Alexei Miller, for a working meeting at the company’s headquarters in Moscow. The meeting was held as part of a 2-day lightning visit by Minister Ben-Eliezer in Moscow, during which he also met with the Russian Regional Development minister and with the Russian minister for Natural Resources.

As is known, the Gazprom corporation is the third largest in the world, and the world’s number 1 natural gas company.

During the meeting, Minister Ben-Eliezer said that he views Gazprom as an important and dependable source of natural gas supply to Israel, and that he views a partnership with Gazprom as a strategic need of the State of Israel. Moreover, Minister Ben-Eliezer reviewed the status of the natural gas project in Israel, as well as the “Israel-Turkey Infrastructure Corridor” project.

Gazprom CEO Miller pointed out that Gazprom is carrying out a feasibility study, and that there is a need to enter negotiations regarding dates, amounts and prices. The basis for this agreement, in Miller’s opinion, should be a governmental agreement between Israel and Russia. In addition, Miller said that they view cooperation with Israel in a much broader context than just supplying gas, and indicated Gazprom’s experience and knowledge in supply, storage and pipelines. Moreover, in light of Minister Ben-Eliezer’s words regarding the electricity market in Israel, Miller mentioned Gazprom’s activity in the field of electricity, and the benefit of combining electricity and gas activities.

The sides indicated that the schedules, cooperation and planning need to reach 30 years.

At Minister Ben-Eliezer’s request, Miller determined that the contact person who will work with the National Infrastructure Ministry’s Director General, Hezi Kugler, will be his deputy, Alexander Medvedev.

In addition, Minister Ben-Eliezer raised two new activity directions: the first – carrying out “swap” deals with Gazprom, and the second – extending the gas pipeline from Ashkelon to El-Arish, for the purpose of supplying gas to Egypt as well. This matter was raised two months ago in the meeting between Egyptian oil minister Fahmi and Minister Ben-Eliezer, and was now presented to Miller.