Islamabad, Aug 26 (UNI) Russia and Pakistan are negotiating on the deliveries of liquefied natural gas for Islamabad's long-term needs, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told Sputnik.
"Pakistan has long been cooperating with Russia in the energy sector. We are pleased with how the recent talks between the two sides on energy cooperation went. Our countries are also discussing LNG deliveries for Pakistan's long-term energy needs, and these talks will continue," she said.
"Last year, a contract was signed for energy supplies. The first ship delivered 100,000 tonnes of oil to Pakistan in test mode last year. We are very pleased with this cooperation," Baloch added.
In July, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told journalists that the issue of LNG deliveries to Pakistan had been discussed during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Astana on the sidelines of the SCO summit. In addition, Novak said that Russia had already supplied Pakistan with 7 million barrels of oil.
Pakistani Energy Minister Muhammad Ali reported last year that the country was discussing signing a long-term contract with Russia on the supply of its oil, and was considering volumes of 0.7-1 million tonnes per year.
UNI/SPUTNIK ARN