Romanian state-owned gas producer Romgaz Medias Monday signed the first agreement since 1989 with Russian natural gas monopoly OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS), which includes the setting-up of a joint venture to store and sell natural gas, news agency Mediafax reports.
Romanian Economy Minister Adriean Videanu said Romgaz and Gazprom might build gas storage facilities of 5 billion-6 billion cubic meters, almost double Romania's current storage capacity.
He added that the agreement might be extended in September.
"The expansion of the collaboration with Gazprom is related to the electric power sector. The Russians are invited to be involved in all Romanian energy projects," Videanu said.
The minister added that that Russia might participate in the construction of the second nuclear plant, of cogeneration thermal plants or in the privatization of certain hydropower plants.
Russia also asked Romania jointly to build a power station in the southeastern Romanian county of Tulcea to export electricity to Greece and other countries.