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Caspian gas pipeline deal signed

MOSCOW: Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have signed a landmark deal to build a gas pipeline cementing Moscow’s control over Central Asia energy resources.

The deal provides for the construction of a pipeline along the Caspian Sea to carry 20 billion cubic metres of gas from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan to Russia. The pact dashes the hopes of the United States and the European Union to build an alternative pipeline across the Caspian to bypass Russia.

The intergovernmental accord, which follows a preliminary agreement reached in May, was signed in Moscow on Thursday in the presence of the Presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev. Describing the agreement as an “extremely important” one Mr. Putin said it “will make a new, important contribution of our nations to strengthening the energy security in Europe Asia and beyond.”

Mr. Nazarbayev said after talks with Mr. Putin that Kazakhstan would also increase oil exports to Russia.

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