Russia, EU – energy partners

The EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger attended the 5th Energy Summit in Poland’s Sopot. Among other things he stated that Europe fully trusts Russia as its energy partner.

The Commissioner also noted the unfailing energy dialogue between the parties which results in joint large-scale projects, like the Nord Stream pipeline which is to cover one tenth of Europe’s gas needs. In case of suspended gas supplies due to economic or political reasons, the parties will have an early warning mechanism providing information about the delays.

Russia plans to spend its gas revenue on modernizing its energy sector which contributes to the strategic partnership, and provides for the stability of gas exports to Europe. Both Russia and the EU confirm the importance of the  bilateral energy dialogue launched 10 years ago.

Very often gas becomes a political issue. Russia is interested in the creation of energy security and economic and political stability in the region but doesn’t want speculations on the issue. The head of Russia’s Energy Security Fund Konstantin Simonov believes that terms like gas war should be left in the past.

Very often Russian-EU energy relations are described in military terms, such as “energy war” or “energy weapons”. Little is said about partnership, despite the fact that Russia is a gas seller and Europe is a gas buyer. We also plan to increase gas supplies to Asia but it’s very difficult to replace the supplies and profit received on the European market. Our energy relations should be regarded as the business  foundation for the future of the bilateral energy dialogue.

The EU will also develop alternative energy resources but still, it agrees that the Russian-EU energy partnership is a long-term one, as a new resource to replace gas will hardly be found at once. Currently, Russia is Europe’s main reliable gas supplier as it has never breached its obligations, unlike the  transit countries.

The current tripartite talks between Russia, EU and Ukraine and the new Russian-Polish gas deal are  steps towards energy security in the region.

Maria Chupina

The Voice of Russia, November 10, 2010