Can Europe reject Russian gas?
Crisis in relations of Gazprom with the Ukraine has again made Europe think about diversification of energy sources. The European Commission has prepared an ambitious plan to reduce its energy dependence on Russia, which affects not only gas, but also oil and uranium supplies from Russia. The document, which will be discussed at the EU summit on June 27, is skeptically taken by European business, but has increasing support of politicians.
Alexander Gabuev
A closed reception on the occasion of the start of the energy forum, organized by the Munich Conference on Security and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, took place in Berlin, on May 27. EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger spoke before a small audience (top managers of major European energy companies, politicians, officials and experts). While guests sipped chilled Rhine wine, Oettinger told about dangers, which ongoing conflict in the Ukraine caused for Europe. According to the European Commissioner, the dispute around the debt of Ukrainian Naftogaz to Gazprom is particularly unsettling for the EU. If a solution is not found, Moscow could stop supplying gas to the Ukraine and Kiev, as the experience shows, can begin to take gas from the volumes that are pumped through the Ukrainian territory to the EU. Oettinger called a course to reduction of energy dependence on Russia, particularly in the field of gas, a way out. "We will present our plan of how to achieve this goal in Brussels tomorrow," - he said, urged the audience to do everything possible to ensure the EU's energy security. The reaction of the audience was mixed. Officials, members of the Bundestag and the European Parliament nodded sympathetically. Many businessmen heard the Oettinger’s speech with skeptical smiles. "Only one was true in his speech. A bill for the purchased gas is on the table before the Ukraine. And it must be paid," – a head of one of the largest German energy holding companies said.
