Konstantin Simonov: Azerbaijani gas is not a danger to the presence of "Gazprom" in Europe

The death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gives rise to new questions about the
allies of Russia. Russian companies are active on the Venezuelan
energy market. However, the death of Chavez might change the situation
on the energy market and experts are concerned that the death of
Chavez might increase U.S. influence in the Latin American world.

Russian experts discussed the situation today at a press
conference in Moscow.

The head of the National Energy Security Fund, Konstantin Simonov, in
an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza said that Russia's relations with
other producers of hydrocarbons, in fact, are very complex. "It is
very difficult to build a smart strategy with these countries. In this
respect we have lots of problems with Azerbaijan and Iran. On the one
hand, it seems that Azerbaijan is a partner of Russia... but in
reality, we are all aware that Azerbaijan is an obvious competitor to
the Russian Federation, especially on the European energy market," the
Russian expert believes.

At the same time the expert said that he does not think that
Azerbaijani gas poses a serious threat to the presence of Russia on
the European market.

As for Iran, Konstantin Simonov believes that Russia has serious
problems with this country in the area of the European gas market.

Konstantin Simonov said that because Russia has "a high level of
political cooperation with Azerbaijan and Iran, many people think that
we are partners in the energy sector. But in the energy sector we are
rivals."