Sochi, Russia; 13 June 1997 (RFE/RL) - Russia and its breakaway republic of Chechnya today signed a memorandum which includes an agreement on transportation of Azerbaijani oil to the Russian port of Novorossiisk via Chechen territory.
The memorandum was signed by Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov. Itar-tass said n-o details of the memorandum were immediately available.
Agreement on transportation of Azerbaijani oil through Chechnya has until now been blocked by disagreement over pipeline tariffs, security, and the condition of the pipeline itself after the war in the republic. Chechen officials have said repairs on the pipeline could be finished in a month provided some 2 million dollars of financing was found.
Itar-tass reports the memorandum signed today also covered banking relations. Chernomyrdin said a customs agreement will be signed later today.
The memorandum was signed by Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin and Chechen President Aslan Maskhadov. Itar-tass said n-o details of the memorandum were immediately available.
Agreement on transportation of Azerbaijani oil through Chechnya has until now been blocked by disagreement over pipeline tariffs, security, and the condition of the pipeline itself after the war in the republic. Chechen officials have said repairs on the pipeline could be finished in a month provided some 2 million dollars of financing was found.
Itar-tass reports the memorandum signed today also covered banking relations. Chernomyrdin said a customs agreement will be signed later today.