By Rhod Mackenzie
The Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov called on the BRICS countries to develop cooperation in the field of low-carbon technologies and expand settlements in national currencies when trading energy resources.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Energy, he announced this at the 8th meeting of the heads of the energy departments of the alliance states.
According to him, the BRICS countries are united by the similarity of approaches in matters of freedom to choose the ways of energy transition in accordance with national conditions and characteristics, independent formation of energy balances and development of national fuel and energy complexes.
"Our countries support the principle of technological neutrality. We call for the development of cooperation in the field of low-carbon technologies and the promotion of non-discriminatory access to advanced technologies. We consider it important to develop cooperation in order to strengthen the technological sovereignty of our countries and expand the practice of making settlements in national currencies when trading energy resources between our countries" Shulginov said.
"China and India are our strategic partners in building a new, fair energy market and trade infrastructure. Russia remains the largest supplier of oil to China and India, and other energy sources - gas and coal are also exported," the minister recalled.
He noted that the success of joint work in the fuel and energy sector between Russia and Brazil should not be limited to the supply of Russian oil products to this South American country, because the potential of the partnership is much wider.
Also, according to him, with South Africa there are prospects for the development of joint projects in the field of electric power, including nuclear and coal, and the oil and gas industry can become a driver of cooperation in terms of the supply of goods and equipment.