EDI held its 8th International Supervisory Board (ISB) Meeting on 17 September in Moscow . The meeting was combined with the celebration of Gasunie's participation to the prestigious Gazprom Nord Stream project.

The ISB is EDI's highest governmental body in which EDI's strategic partners have a seat. This year all partners joined the meeting, expressing their views on EDI and its progress. Without any hesitation the partners congratulated EDI with its achievements over the past months, whilst underlining its importance as a relation tool for its partners. Two new members were welcomed: Mr Sergey Kumyakov, Chairman of Gazprom's Management Committee and chair of this year's ISB meeting, and Mr Sibrand Poppema, the successor of Mr Simon Kuipers as chair of the Board of Directors of the University of Groningen .

The meeting took place in one of Gazprom's premises. A clear presentation was given on the achievements of EDI since the last ISB meeting, and a future approach was discussed. For EDI it was a pleasure to receive the very positive comments it got from the partners.

On behalf of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie Mr Marcel Kramer and Mr Eric Dam (also chair of EDI's Executive Board) joined the meeting, as well as Mr Gertjan Lankhorst (GasTerra B.V.), Mr Wolfgang Peters (RWE), Mr Hans van Lamoen (Shell), and from the University of Groningen Mr Sibrand Poppema , Mr Koos Duppen and Mr Elmer Sterken. Gazprom was represented by Mr Kumyakov, Mr Kuzmin and Mr Balobin. On behalf of EDI, its president Mr George Verberg, informed the board of EDI's progress and plans, joined by Mr Volko de Jong (vice president) and Ms Pieternel Overmars (secretary of the ISB). The ISB meeting takes place one a year, alternately in the Netherlands and in Russia .

The meeting was followed by a festive reception of Gasunie and Gazprom to celebrate Gasunie's participation to the Nord Stream project. The celebration took place in a Gazprom edifice and was appropriately graced by a musical meeting of Michiel Borstlap and Igor Butman, two prominent jazz musicians that joined hands and gave a sensational, unique performance.

The next ISB meeting will take place in June 2009 in the Netherlands, chaired by Mr Marcel Kramer. On that occasion the 50th anniversary of the Groningen field will be celebrated.