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Russia, Slovenia to sign contract for gas supplies in 2018-2022

"During Pahor’s visit, a new contract is expected to be signed to supply Slovenia with Russian natural gas in 2018-2022," a staff member of the Russian cabinet’s office said

© Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. A new contract for the supplies of Russian gas to Slovenia in 2018-2022 is expected to be signed during the visit of Slovenian President Borut Pahor to Moscow beginning on Friday, a staff member of the Russian cabinet’s office told reporters.

"During Pahor’s visit, a new contract is expected to be signed to supply Slovenia with Russian natural gas in 2018-2022," he said.

Slovenia remains a long-term consumer of Russian gas in Southeast Europe, the official said. Last year, Russia supplied 520.1 mln cu m of gas to the country. Russian energy giant Gazprom meets some 70% of Slovenia’s demand in gas.

Russia has been supplying gas to Slovenia since 1978 when the republic was part of Yugoslavia. The current contract will remain in force until the end of 2017. The Plinovodi d.o.o. company, managing the natural gas transmission network, is the only importer of gas in Slovenia.

The Slovenian president will pay a visit to Russia on February 10-12. On Friday, he is scheduled to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and meet with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Eleven bilateral contracts are planned for signing during the visit in different areas, such as agriculture, telecommunications, technology exchange and energy with the total amount over 1 bln euro. Earlier Pahor said in an interview with TASS that bilateral economic agreements being prepared for signing can double the trade turnover between Slovenia and Russia.

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