Russia, Italy Preparing Strategic Gas Deal

An section of the Baltic Sea pipeline, which should eventually carry gas directly from Russia to Germany (epa)

June 30, 2006 -- The Italian energy group ENI and Russia's natural gas giant Gazprom are preparing a deal that would give ENI access to Russian gas reserves and let Gazprom sell directly to Italian consumers.

Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema made the announcement after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on June 30 in Moscow.

Italy imports about one-third of its gas from Russia.

(compiled from agency reports)