BY DECEMBER GOVERNMENT OF RUSSIA IS TO DEFINE PIPELINE ROUTE TO COUNTRIES OF ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION - ZHUKOV

MOSCOW, April 30 (RIA Novosti) - The Government of Russia is to define the pipeline route from Angarsk (Siberia) to the Asian-Pacific countries by the end of the year. Vice-Premier Alexander Zhukov reported it after the talks with the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Soiti Nakagava.

"During this year we will define the route and perform a feasibility study," said the vice-premier.

Zhukov reminded that the ecological expertise of the project was under way. "The project is rather complicated, and expensive and we have to thoroughly calculate everything," noted the vice-premier.

Earlier the Government of Russia took the decision to build a pipeline from Angarsk to Nakhodka (Japan is interested in that variant) with an branch to Dacin (China).

Zhukov also informed that a spokesman for the Japanese Cabinet confirmed Japan's interest in the project and readiness to participate in it.

Besides, Zhukov said that the Government studies the appropriateness of releasing the European bonds.

"We study the necessity," he said.

Earlier the Ministry of Finance submitted to the Cabinet the draft resolution on releasing a 3 billion dollars' worth of bonds.