Sharonov stressed that LNG was "a new product featuring a high added value."
In his opinion, LNG production promises Russia a breakthrough to the US and Asian markets.
"This has an indirect impact on resolving our problems of building continental pipelines. I mean technical and political problems," Sharonov said.
Sharonov also called for liberalizing LNG pricing.
"This sphere should be liberalized, and there are all necessary preconditions for this," he said. "Those consumers who will still enjoy regulated prices will have to pay more for LNG anyway, so regulating will be futile anyway."
According to Sharonov, the situation "breaks up the LNG market, in fact."
"The global LNG market is not big but it is growing," US deputy Secretary of Energy John Broadman noted.
According to him, LNG exports have grown by 35% over the past five years, and "availability of numerous consumers facilitates diversification of the LNG market."
Broadman also stated that the bulk of natural gas reserves were far away from consumers, which was to boost the trade in LNG. According to him, three quarters of the world's natural gas reserves are situated in the Middle East and the former Soviet Union.
Russia, Iran and Qatar hold 60% of the natural gas reserves, Broadman said, adding that he had been proactive in discussing natural gas cooperation with Russia and that he was going to see Gazprom's CEO Alexei Miller in the United States.
