The Russian government is currently considering whether to join OPEC, but it is premature to talk about any specific steps in this respect, Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said Wednesday. Kasyanov was confirming statements by OPEC officials that Russia was studying the possibility of joining the cartel.
"Russia's joining OPEC now is not an issue. But we have started considering whether membership would benefit Russia," Kasyanov told reporters in a Finnish border town, where he came for a meeting with his Finnish counterpart, Paavo Lipponen.
"If we conclude membership is good for our national interests and OPEC invites us, such a decision can be taken. But it is too early to speak of any specific steps now," Kasyanov said as quoted by the ITAR-TASS news agency.
He said Russia was attending OPEC meetings as an observer. A summit of OPEC countries is scheduled to start Sept. 27 in Caracas. Russia is expected to send a high-ranking official to the meeting.
( petroleumworld )
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
