Response by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Questions from Russian Media before Flight from Ashgabat, April 10, 2009

Question: Turkmenistan is asserting that gas supplies have ceased through the Russian side's fault. What is the position of Russia?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Nobody likes when technological breakdowns occur on a gas pipeline. Understandably this evokes emotions. The main task now is to eliminate the breakdown. Russian and Turkmen specialists are engaged with this.

Question: The Russian consul in Dubai has said he is denied access to the records in the case of Sulim Yamadaev. What does the Russian MFA intend to undertake in this connection?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: We expect that official findings will be presented to us about what happened. Contradictory reports are coming in at present.

Question: Do you consider the early return of Russian companies to Iraq possible?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Responding to the wishes of the Iraqi leadership, we reaffirm our companies' interest to step up their activities in Iraq. I shall note that many Russian companies continued to work in Iraq even at the height of hostilities. Work was being conducted, above all, in electric power generation to restore a number of hydro electric and electrical energy facilities. We encourage mutually advantageous cooperation by Russian companies with their Iraqi partners.

Question: Information has appeared that the Ukrainian publishing house Folio has brought out an encyclopedic book entitled "The Whole of Russia" at the start of 2009. What could you say about that edition?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: Yes, indeed, this book of 560 pages, with over 500 color illustrations, has been published. The edition, for which I deemed it important to write a foreword, consists of six chapters. In my opinion, it offers an unbiased story of present-day Russia, which cherishes its historical and natural wealth, and rediscovers it for those who want to learn as much as possible about our country. I do not doubt that the book will interest a broad range of readers and help to strengthen friendly traditions between the brother peoples of Russia and Ukraine. In conclusion I shall stress that we intend to give 500 copies of this edition to leading Ukrainian libraries.

April 13, 2009