BRUSSELS, May 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Prospects for diversifying Russian natural gas export look rather optimistic, Russian deputy permanent representative to the EU Alexander Krestyanov has said.

He was speaking at the 9th International Conference “Energy Dialogue: Russia — European Union. Gas Aspect” organized by the Russian Gas Society and Eurogas with support of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the EU.

“In the next 20 years demand for energy resources will grow by 85% in the Asia-Pacific Region, where prices are visibly higher than in Europe. This fact makes the EU prospects more clouded,” he said.

Krestyanov cited European Commissioner for Energy Guenther Oettinger as saying the EU would struggle to eliminate its dependence on Russian natural gas.

“Thus, the EU may give up Russian energy resources in the mid-term. Russia should step up efforts to diversify its energy export,” he said.