Russia Hosts Gas Exporting Nations Forum: Lavrov Meets GECF Chief, October Summit in Moscow

On June 5, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Philip Mshelbila on the sidelines of the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

During the meeting, Secretary General Mshelbila was presented with a message from Russian President Vladimir Putin, extending an invitation to attend the 8th GECF Summit scheduled for October 27 in Moscow.

The officials emphasized the GECF’s role in ensuring effective interaction among natural gas producing countries and promoting natural gas as a key energy resource of the 21st century. They exchanged views on utilizing the GECF’s potential amid the current crisis in global energy markets, set against the backdrop of Western disruptions.

They also reaffirmed the importance of non-discriminatory cooperation among GECF member countries and the unacceptability of external pressures on both energy suppliers and consumers.