Kwasniewski facilitating talks for second oil pipeline

The daily Zycie has learned that President Aleksander Kwasniewski is facilitating talks between the Economy Ministry and Russia's Gazprom on the prospects of constructing another pipeline that would transport natural gas via Poland and Slovakia to Germany. According to deputy Economy Minister Jan Szlazak, the Polish side is awaiting a letter of intent from Gazprom. Earlier the weekly Glos published a copy of a letter from the Ministry to Gazprom in which Szlazak is alleged to have approved the route of the planned pipeline. The investment, in the opinion of well placed sources in international relations circles, is too risky as it would make Poland too dependent on Russia and would consequently affect relations with Ukraine. The revelations of Zycie have partly been confirmed by the Polish Oil and Gas (PGNiG) president, who told a press conference that his firm was awaiting a letter of intent from the Russian side. (Zycie, page 6)