It is imperative for Russia and China to carry out energy cooperation in view of an increasing energy demand from China, a Russian parliament leader told Xinhua Friday.

Valery Yazev, deputy chairman of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, spoke highly of the oil cooperation deals on pipeline construction, oil trade and loans that Russia and China signed in February.

Yazev, who was here attending the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, said he believed the intergovernmental agreements on energy cooperation, signed in April, would be approved by the State Duma because "it's obviously in the interests of both countries."

As for cooperation in the gas sector, Yazev, who is also president of the Russian Gas Society, said the two sides were negotiating on the gas pipeline route and gas prices.

"I believe the talks will end in numerous contracts, and we will supply gas to China for a long time," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 6, 2009)