Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, during the latter’s visit to Moscow on June 7, discussed
current issues of bilateral cooperation, including the further
strengthening of trade and economic cooperation, especially energy ties.
“Our doors are open for every company from any country that has vast
experience in the development of gas fields, including Russia, of
course,” Netanyahu told joint news conference. “There are no legal
restrictions on Russian companies participating in gas projects in
Israel.”
For his part, Putin said that Moscow is ready to develop energy
cooperation with Tel Aviv. Speaking to journalists after the talks, the
Kremlin leader reminded about a project of Russian gas supplies to
Israel. “But after our Israeli friends found their own gas on the shelf,
this project vanished, which is only natural,” TASS quoted him as
saying.
Cooperation in the energy sector is possible. Putin cited as an
example a small project of equipping Israel’s social transport with
liquefied gas. “Such cooperation will be useful for us with an eye of
adopting such technologies here,” the Russian President said. “We can
and we are looking at possible cooperation in other areas,” he added.
Earlier, Vedomosti newspaper reported that Gazprom is no longer
interested in participating in the project on development of the
Leviathan field, offshore Israel.
Netanyahu arrived in Russia on an official visit on the occasion of
the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“There was a detailed discussion of the implementation of the agreements
reached during the recent visit by Benjamin Netanyahu to Moscow,” the
Kremlin said.
“In addition, there was an exchange of views on regional issues,
primarily in the context of the fight against international terrorism.
Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu reviewed developments related to
Syria, as well as the status and prospects of the Palestinian-Israeli
peace process,” the Kremlin said.
Putin said Russia would contribute to the settlement of the conflict
between Israelis and Palestinians. “We speak for overwhelming and just
settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” Putin told journalists
after his talks with Netanyahu. “Active joint efforts, including in the
framework of the Middle East Quartet, are in demand now,” he added.
“Russia is ready to take part in that work.”
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/putin-netanyahu-talk-economic-ties-energy/