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The message said, in part:

“I welcome the initiative that was put forward by prominent Russian scientists and major national energy companies to introduce the Global Energy International Prize. Our country is a leading energy producer and consumer. Therefore, effective work in the energy sector is a state priority task.”

Mr Putin expressed confidence the prize would serve as a bright example of the recognition of achievements by outstanding scientists and designers and a good impetus for stepping up energy research.

Sergei Yastrzhembsky, Presidential Aide, read the message at a meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Global Energy is the first personal prize in global fundamental and applied science, which will be awarded for outstanding discoveries and inventions in the field of energy and power engineering.

The Russian President made the statement at the Russia-EU summit in Brussels on November 11. The idea of the award was put forward by a group of Russian scientists headed by Jores Alferov, a Nobel Prize winner, with the support of Russia’ s major energy companies – Gazprom, RAO UES and the oil company Yukos.

The prize was established to encourage the development of theoretical and applied energy research, and to attract leading foreign specialists and international scientific organisations to address the most pressing energy problems, as well as to promote worldwide recognition of the role of individual scientists and research groups.

The prize will be awarded annually beginning in 2003. Its fund will be sponsored by major national energy companies.

Mr Alferov believes the Global Energy International Prize will become a major scientific award. It will cover the field of research that is beyond the Nobel Prize Committee’s activities, although the achievements in this field significantly influence the development of humankind.