Today Gazprom Headquarters has hosted a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of Gazprom Management Committee, and Leonid Markelov, President of the Mari El Republic.

The parties discussed implementation status of bilateral Agreement for cooperation. Particularly, the session pointed to further gasification of the Mari El Republic and draft construction programs for new branch pipelines in the Republic.

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Gazprom and the Mari El Republic have signed a five-year Agreement for cooperation in 2005.

Gas penetration in Mari El Republic is at 65.8 per cent, 85.9 per cent in cities and towns, and 25.5 per cent in rural area (the average figures are at 54.2 per cent, 60.8 per cent, and 36 per cent respectively).

In accordance with the gasification program for RF regions over 2005 to 2007 Gazprom committed more than RUR 149 mln for development of gasification facilities in the Mari El Republic. In 2006 Gazprom plans to commit RUR 37 mln.

The Republic’s debt for natural gas supplied decreased up to RUR 121 mln in 2005, but it has increased again in 2006 and as of August 1 equals to RUR 132 mln. As of August 1, 2006 the pay level for gas deliveries is at 97.2 per cent.

In 2005 Gazprom supplied the Mari El Republic with 1.24 bcm of gas and the same volumes are slated for this year.