Putin Visits Balkans to Bolster Russia's Energy Role in Southeast Europe

(Bloomberg) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin
meets with leaders of the 10 Balkan countries in Croatia today to
bolster Russia's presence in southeast Europe as the region
becomes a hub for energy transport.

Putin will use the summit to help Russian energy companies,
such as OAO Gazprom, set up new partnerships, buy assets and win
contracts in the region, the Russian presidency said in a
statement. Gazprom, Russia's gas-export monopoly, and Eni SpA,
announced yesterday a plan to build a new gas pipeline linking
Russia to the European Union across the Black Sea and through the
Balkans.


Read more at Bloomberg Energy News

UPDATE 1-Russia merges top energy shippers

(Reuters) - "You know that I have signed a decree forming a new company
on the basis of the two existing ones -- Sovcomflot and
Novoship," Putin was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as
telling Sovcomflot's Director General Sergei Frank.




Russia has been seeking to merge Sovcomflot and Novoship
for several years, in line with the Kremlin's
strategy of enhancing control over the strategic energy sector
by creating mighty state giants.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News