The European Energy Commission has approved the co-operation agreement between Gazprom and the Italian oil company Eni which allows the Russian natural gas monopoly to sell gas directly to the Italian customers from 2007.
By 2010 volumes could reach 3 bln cubic metres a year. And according to the agreement, Eni will join Gazprom in buying oil assets in Russia and Africa.The commission says the deal is important because it helpes secure energy supplies.