Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said that Russia is
open to dialogue with the European Union (EU) over the issue of
energy supplies based on the mutual respect of individual
interests, and will try to reduce its dependency on transit
countries for fuel deliveries.
Putin hosted German Chancellor Angela Merkel in his summer
residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, three weeks after
Germany took over the presidency of the Group of Eight (G8) from
Russia. Germany also holds the current EU presidency.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Merkel after their
talks, Putin said, "We are open to constructive work in the
framework of the energy dialogue with the EU," and expect partners
to stick to the principles of equality and mutual respect of
individual interests.
"There should be no doubts that Russia was and will remain in
the future a reliable fuel supplier," Putin was quoted by the
Interfax news agency as saying.
Relations between the EU and Russia have soured as Russia
abruptly halted its supply of energy resources to neighbors over
pricing disputes.
Earlier this month, Russia briefly turned off a pipeline that
delivers oil to Europe in a row with Belarus, which serves as a
transit point for Russian oil exports.
The oil disruption affected Poland, Germany, Hungary, the Czech
Republic and Slovakia, and raised concerns in the EU, with Merkel
earlier calling the shutoff "unacceptable."
Merkel told the news conference that "not only do I understand
but I accept that Russia wants to have market prices with its
partners, Ukraine and Belarus, when it comes to oil and gas
sales."
At the same time, she said, Germany stands for the reliability
of Russian fuel deliveries to Europe.
"We understand perfectly well that there is strategic dependence
here in a good sense of the word," she said.
Russia provides about a quarter of the oil and gas consumed in
the EU. The 27-nation bloc has been keen to formulate new
principles of energy cooperation with Russia but has so far failed
to persuade Moscow to commit to the Energy Charter, which would
require it to open its export pipeline network and other energy
assets to foreign investors.
"We will be building relations with all partners -- transit
nations and consumers of hydrocarbons -- on an equal,
understandable and transparent basis," Putin said.
Putin pledged Russia will seek new routes for energy exports to
reduce its dependence on transit countries for fuel deliveries.
"Given changes in the geopolitical situation, we will be most
actively developing our own transport network to have a chance to
directly deliver our raw material to key consumers," he said.
Middle east, Kosovo
Although Putin did not give much ground on energy, he offered
his backing for Germany's proposal for the Quartet of international
mediators to meet soon in a bid to inject new impetus to the Middle
East peace process.
"We paid special attention to the Middle East settlement based
on the roadmap recognized by all the sides," Putin said.
Germany has made the revival of the Middle East peace process
one of its priorities during its EU presidency and has pledged to
focus on reactivating peace efforts by the Quartet, which groups
the EU, the United States, Russia and the United Nations.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday in
Berlin that the Quartet was likely to meet early next month in
Washington.
Putin said that the approaches of Russia and Germany to major
international issues are close. The talks with Merkel in Sochi
"confirmed the proximity of positions on key items on the
international agenda," he said.
Turning to Kosovo, Putin said it is impermissible to impose a
decision concerning the status of Kosovo from abroad. "A long-term
solution of the problem can be reached only if it is acceptable for
both Belgrade and Pristina."
(Xinhua News Agency January 22, 2007)
