Medvedev assures European consumers Russia has enough gas

MOSCOW, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev dismissed speculation on Friday that his country would not have enough natural gas for European consumers and pledged to launch new fields if the market grows.

"It is amusing to hear statements that Russia will not have enough gas for supplies to Europe...This is not so," Medvedev told a Valdai International Discussion Club meeting.

Medvedev also said that the country's plans to develop energy cooperation with Asian states would not adversely affect energy supplies to Europe.

"We will do everything possible to solve a number of tasks on diversifying energy flows to Asia without detriment to Europe," Medvedev said, adding that this concerned oil, gas and nuclear energy.

The president described Asia as a 'promising' market for Russia, and pointed to the necessity of securing a balance between the country's energy relations with the West and Asia.

"This should reflect multipolarity. The world - the economy in particular - will be more stable if there are different economic zones," Medvedev said.

He also assured foreign consumers of Russian natural gas that "if we see that there is a large market, we will launch new fields."

Russia's Industry and Energy Ministry has forecast natural gas exports of 204 bcm in 2008.

This year, the Valdai Club will discuss the 21st century international geopolitical revolution and Russia's role in it. The discussions are organized by RIA Novosti, the Foreign and Defense Policy Council, The Moscow News paper, and the Russia in Global Affairs and Russia Profile magazines.

Around 80 political scientists, experts and journalists from Russia, the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Switzerland and other countries are taking part.