Alexander Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee took part today in Leipzig (Germany) in the celebrations dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the first Russian gas supplies to Germany under a long-term contract signed with Verbundnetz Gas.

Also participating in the celebrations were Karsten Heuchert, Chairman of the Verbundnetz Gas Executive Board, Philipp Rosler, Germany's Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, Vladimir Grinin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Federal Republic of Germany as well as businessmen and politicians from both countries.

 “Precisely 40 years ago Verbundnetz Gas was first to receive Russian gas in Germany. Over these years Gazprom and Verbundnetz Gas, Russia and Germany have become true strategic partners. We appreciate a unique level of trust built up between our companies and countries. From 1973 Germany was supplied with over 1 trillion cubic meters of gas and 25 per cent of it was covered by contracts with Verbundnetz Gas. We are proud that together we bring light and heat to European homes and we are the backbone of a future environmentally friendly power industry,” said Alexander Medvedev.

“We are delighted to celebrate today 40 years of energy cooperation with Gazprom. Our partnership has proved to be a success during the historical changes. Our Russian partners have always been the reliable providers of natural gas, making a significant contribution to the European energy supply process. Natural gas has always been and will be a proven and reasonably priced energy source with a low ecological footprint. I am confident that it will play an even bigger role in the future. Without natural gas – from Russia inclusive – it would be impossible to accomplish Germany's long lasting project aimed at transforming the power industry,” said Karsten Heuchert.

Background

Germanyis the largest EU market for Gazprom. In 2012 Gazprom supplied 33.16 billion cubic meters of gas to Germany.

Established in 1969 in Leipzig, Verbundnetz Gas (VNG AG) is a gas supplier in Germany and other countries. VNG business activities involve natural gas import, supplies to consumers as well as underground gas storage.

At present, the company's shareholding structure is as follows: EWE – 47.9 per cent, Wintershall Holding – 15.79 per cent plus one share, VNG Verwaltungs und Beteiligungsgesellschaft – 25.79 per cent less one share, Gazprom – 10.52 per cent.