Gazprom to complete talks with Azerbaijan by year-end

According to him, the outcome will depend on such factors as the price, deliveries' schedule, among others.

Golubev pointed out that Gazprom had no "extra gas" and therefore, its subsidiaries would be willing to purchase gas at regulated prices. He also said that it was pointless to develop relations with Azerbaijan on blackmail terms. He explained that Azerbaijan was interested in buying gas at a low price, rather than at world-market prices.

According to Golubev, Azerbaijan is self-sustaining and can satisfy its domestic demand almost fully. He added that there could be a slight gas deficit on the verge of 2007, but the country would make up for it if it got up to speed with the schedule of its exploration projects. RBC