Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Sochi, January 9 (Interfax) - Despite the global financial crisis, the diversification of gas routes remains an important task for Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev said at a meeting with Gazprom chief Alexei Miller.

"We should certainly think about ensuring proper conditions for supplying our gas to Europe, to our close partners and consumers, who have long cooperated with Russia and Gazprom, but we should also think about future gas supplies in other directions, which is why the task of diversifying gas routes remains important. We have plans with a number of nations, so we should move in this direction as well," Medvedev said.

This is not only in Russia's and Gazprom's interests, it is also consistent with security interests, he said. Miller concurred with the president, saying that the market diversification is crucial. "You should not put all your eggs in one basket," the Gazprom chief said.

Currently, Gazprom "is at the advanced stage as far as projects for gas supplies to the Asian countries are concerned," he said. Gazprom will become a global company and will soon be able to supply gas to Southern America, India and other countries, which need energy resources, he said.