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August 4, 1997
(Mines and Energy)


Minister announces department's participation in Russian project

Charles J. Furey, Minister of Mines and Energy, announced today that officials from the department will travel to Russia on August 7 to participate in a series of meetings and projects designed to assist the Russian Federation in its transition to democracy and a market economy.

"I believe this is an excellent opportunity for the department's officials to assist members of the Russian government and at the same time gain experience and information from the Russian people," says Furey. "This is an example of the level of cooperation ongoing within Canada and between countries to share information and facilitate trade."

The Department of Mines and Energy participated in a similar project a year ago that dealt with resource management and revenue sharing issues, outlined a methodology for evaluating these issues, and assisted in holding a public seminar in Russia. "It is my understanding that as a result of the department's previous participation in the program, that the Russians, and the Government of Canada, expressed an interest in having the province's Department of Mines and Energy take the lead in the design, completion, and delivery of one of the projects under this phase of the initiative," says Furey. "This is an indication of the high level of expertise and professionalism that exists in the Department of Mines and Energy."

The project, Evaluation of Petroleum Joint Ventures in the Russian Oil and Gas Sector, will involve members of the Russian Duma (Parliament) and is considered to be highly important by the Russians and by the Western companies operating in Russia. This project is one of four or five other projects comprising the third phase of an overall initiative which is fully funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada International Development Agency (CIDA) and managed by the Canadian Institute for Resources Law (CIRL) in Calgary, Alberta. The remaining projects, will address issues such as technology transfer, aboriginal issues, legislative assistance, and environmental management. This project will take place between July 1997 and March 1998 and will involve the local consulting community as well as other national and international petroleum industry experts. Key participants in this phase of the project include: CIDA, Natural Resources Canada, the Canadian Institute for Resource Law, the Department of Mines and Energy, the Russian Ministry of Fuel and Energy, and the Russian-based Petroleum Advisory Forum.

Contact: Tara Laing, Assistant Director of Communications, (709) 729-4890.

1997 08 04 12:30 p.m.

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