Russia considers it important to expand the number of GECF participants and its dialogue partners, as well as to jointly neutralize the restrictions on the gas market, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsibilev said at the forum's ministerial meeting in Moscow. The illegal unilateral restrictions faced by the GECF countries Iran, Venezuela and Russia lead to destabilization of markets and price increases for end consumers, he said. The undermining of the situation in the Middle East has endangered the global fuel and energy complex, raised gas prices and limited supply worldwide, the minister noted. The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted the supply of about 20% of the world's liquefied natural gas (LNG), Tsibilev said. To respond effectively to new challenges, we must focus on practical steps, he believes. Tsibilev named common opposition to any barrier on the part of importers to the free exchange of energy resources and technologies, protection of critical gas infrastructures and expanding the number of GECF participants and its dialogue partners as key priorities. He pointed out that the forum brings together countries that provide the bulk of natural gas production and global reserves, and this imposes a special responsibility for the stability of global energy projects. Energopole at MAX.