The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Energy Ministry submitted to the State Duma the draft federal law On Ratifying the Agreement between the Russian and Chinese Governments on Cooperation in Natural Gas Supplies from Russia to China via an Eastern Route.
The sides signed the agreement on 13 October 2014 in Moscow to promote bilateral cooperation in the energy sphere. It sets forth the main terms of cooperation in natural gas supplies from Russia to China via an eastern route. In particular it contains provisions on the design, construction and operation of the gas pipeline’s cross-border section.
The Energy Ministry and China’s National Energy Administration have been placed in charge of coordinating the agreement’s implementation and monitoring compliance.
Russia’s Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) are responsible for carrying out the agreement.
The signing of the agreement is a term for the entry into force of the purchase-and-sale contract on natural gas supplies (hereinafter referred to as the contract) via an eastern route, signed by Gazprom and the CNPC on 21 May 2014.
In conformity with the agreement, the sides will render all-round assistance to the authorised organisations in the design, construction and operation of the gas transport infrastructure required for gas supplies from Russia to China via an eastern route, including the pipeline’s cross-border section.
In accordance with the legislation of their states, the sides will support and create favourable conditions for the activities of the authorised organisations, as well as their affiliated companies and contractors taking part in the engineering work, construction and operation of gas transportation infrastructure required for gas supplies.
The sides will also provide necessary assistance to their authorised organisations for the timely commissioning of the pipeline’s cross-border section and its use for the volume of natural gas stipulated in the agreement.
The agreement regulates the procedure for the crossing of the Russian-Chinese border by personnel and equipment, as well as the customs procedure for transport and technical equipment, as well as building and expendable materials required for the design, construction and operation of the pipeline’s cross-border section via the Amur River (underwater crossing).
Pursuant to sub-item “a” of item 1 of Article 15 of the federal law On the International Treaties of the Russian Federation, the agreement is subject to ratification because its rules differ from those envisaged by Russian legislation.
The Government reviewed the draft at its meeting on 19 March 2015.