MOSCOW, October 2. /TASS/. Statements concerning Russia’s allegedly weak position in its talks with China on gas projects are nonsense, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at the Russian Energy Week Forum.
The Russian President made such comment on the opinion cited by the discussion moderator that China could influence on Russia during talks on the Power of Siberia and other projects because Moscow was "in a weak position."
"Such statements are made by those who do not want projects of this kind to be implemented. This is what competitors of Russia and China say, who want to introduce some disagreements into our relations, including this sphere. This is nonsense," Putin said. Russia and China has complex long-term talks but an optimal solution meeting interests of both countries was found as the result, he added.
Deliveries amounting to 38 bln cubic meters of gas per year constitute a huge volume, the Russian President said. "Even more can be pumped" over the Power of Siberia pipeline, Putin noted. Furthermore, Russia and China are holding talks on the opportunity of building the pipeline over the so-called ‘Eastern route,’ the head of state said. "We are moving gradually, smoothly; we see needs of the Chinese economy," Putin noted.
The economy of China is growing in any case at a much greater pace against other countries and needs resources, he said. "We have them. This is an absolute natural partnership; it will continue," the Russian President added.